This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Homeland Security was posted on May 12, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.

Top

Advanced Communications Experiment – Cross-border Autonomous Vehicle Session Persistence Experiment and Research

Closed

70RSAT26RFI000017Federal

Submission Closed05/18/2026, 11:00:00 AM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

Active Opportunities Like This One

NAICS: 541715

New

Federal

Consolidated Operations, Management, Engineering and Test (COMET) Follow-On ContractThe contract involves comprehensive engineering services, ground system development, flight vehicle and spacecraft processing, as well as launch, landing, and recovery operations. These efforts will support major Exploration Systems Development programs including the Exploration Ground Systems, the Space Launch System, and the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Additionally, the contract will extend support to the International Space Station Program, the Launch Services Program, and facilitate other NASA programs, commercial ventures, and partnerships operating at Kennedy Space Center. Named the Consolidated Operations, Management, Engineering and Test (COMET) Follow-On Contract, it is geared towards ensuring seamless integration and operational readiness across NASA's exploration-related initiatives. The contract's solicitation was posted with an emphasis on providing ongoing technical and operational support to key space exploration systems, emphasizing coordination across multiple programs to promote mission success. Contacts for the contract include a designated point of contact and a small business specialist to assist with inquiries and small business participation.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Aeronautics and Spaceflight Systems Engineering Support Services (ASSESS) IIThe Aeronautics and Spaceflight Systems Engineering Support Services (ASSESS) II contract focuses on providing research, technology development, and engineering support to advance NASA’s aircraft and spaceflight system missions. This contract covers a broad range of activities including scientific research, engineering design and analysis, advancing technology readiness levels, managing and implementing technology programs, conducting tests and operations, and supporting program and project management efforts. The work aims to adapt and enhance capabilities to meet evolving NASA mission requirements, ensuring continued innovation and technical progress in aeronautics and spaceflight systems. The contract is forecasted to be performed primarily at Moffett Field and falls under the NAICS code 541715, which relates to research and development services. While details about set-aside status are yet to be determined, the contract offers opportunities for various types of organizations to participate. Points of contact for the contract are Mary E. Livingston and Robert E. Watts, who serve as the main liaison and small business specialist respectively. This contract underscores NASA’s commitment to advancing scientific and engineering frontiers through comprehensive support of aeronautics and spaceflight system development.

POSTED

DEADLINE

FILMSS (Fully Integrated Lifecycle Mission Support Services) 3The FILMSS 3 contract is designed to provide comprehensive program, science, engineering, operations, and project management support primarily for biosciences flight development projects, including mission implementation, instrument development, and technology advancement. It also supports collaborative science initiatives such as astrobiology and virtual institutes, aeronautics research projects, and various offices within NASA's Ames Research Center. The contract encompasses specialized technical and professional assistance to facilitate efficient mission support activities at Ames. Work under this contract will take place mainly at Moffett Field and is intended to support a wide range of research and operational efforts aligned with NASA's goals. The contract is forecasted under NAICS code 541715, indicating professional scientific and technical consulting services, with details on set-aside status yet to be determined. Key points of contact include representatives for program and small business matters, providing an official communication channel. The scope reflects NASA's integrated approach to advancing life sciences and aeronautics research through collaborative and well-supported mission programs.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Marshall Engineering Technicians and Trades Support (METTS) IVThe METTS IV contract involves providing engineering technician and trades support services to the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), specifically aiding the Engineering Directorate, Facilities Management Office, and other MSFC programs and projects. The contractor is responsible for delivering a broad range of technical and trade services across multiple disciplines within MSFC activities, ensuring compliance with the Performance Work Statement requirements. In addition to performing these technical tasks, the contractor must manage and oversee the work to guarantee successful completion of all specified requirements. This contract, identified by solicitation number nasa-a475a3595631f8ea, is forecasted for performance in Huntsville and falls under the NAICS code 541715, which covers engineering services. The type of set-aside for this contract is yet to be determined. Key points of contact include Myron H. Tapscott and Danielle R. Barnes, who serves as the small business specialist. The contracting agency is MSFC, part of NASA, with further information and updates available through the NASA procurement forecast website.

Marshall Space Flight Center

POSTED

DEADLINE

Engineering and Technical Support Services for Flight Research and Development (ETSS)The contract involves providing comprehensive engineering and technical support services for flight research and development at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, located in Edwards. The scope covers a wide range of specialized disciplines including research, flight operations, aerodynamics, propulsion, dynamics and controls, advanced systems development, flight instrumentation, systems integration, aerostructures research, and range and subscale flight research. Additionally, support for safety and mission assurance is a critical component of the work, ensuring the reliability and security of flight research missions. The contractor is expected to supply all necessary personnel, services, and materials to support flight research projects, internal research and development efforts, and various technical functions. This includes providing disciplinary engineering expertise across multiple research and technical domains to support NASA’s ongoing innovation and operational goals in aerospace engineering. The work is forecasted to be under the NAICS code 541715, with key agency contacts identified to facilitate communication and coordination.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

POSTED

in 7 months

DEADLINE

N/A

AI Contract Overview

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, in partnership with Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science, is conducting the 2026 Advanced Communications Experiment Cross-border Autonomous Vehicle Session Persistence Experiment and Research (ACE-CASPER). This multi-day event will simulate a national emergency response scenario along the U.S.-Canada border, testing the ability of autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, and 5G-enabled technologies to maintain secure and resilient cross-border communications. The experiment will focus on the continuous streaming of live video and sensor data from these vehicles to a bi-national command and control center, enabling enhanced situational awareness and improved coordination between U.S. and Canadian emergency response teams. The primary goal is to validate 5G session persistence, ensuring seamless connectivity and interoperability across border networks while facilitating smooth command and control handoffs. The experiment emphasizes operational readiness by involving various federal, state, provincial, and local stakeholders in a simulated emergency environment. Participants are expected to demonstrate secure, resilient 5G communications and real-time data sharing; the level of vehicle autonomy or AI-driven navigation is secondary to the focus on communication reliability and system interoperability. Submissions for vendor participation were extended to May 18, 2026, with the solicitation seeking innovative solutions that support persistent 5G connectivity and bi-national emergency response coordination through advanced situational awareness tools.

General Info

DHS and Canadian partners test 5G connectivity, autonomous vehicles in cross-border emergency simulation.

Agency

Department Of Homeland Security → Sci Technology Acq Division

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) View NAICS

Place of Performance

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

(7)

70RSAT26RFI000017 ACE-CASPER Experiment 2026 RFI

PDF•rfi

70RSAT26RFI000017 ACE-CASPER Experiment 2026 RFI

PDF•rfi

RFI+70RSAT26RFI000017+ACE+Experiment.pdf

PDF

RFI 70RSAT26RFI000017 ACE Experiment

PDF•rfi

Attachment+1+ACE-CASPER+Submission+Form.docx

DOCX

70RSAT26RFI000017 ACE-CASPER Experiment 2026 RFI

PDF•rfi

RFI+70RSAT26RFI000017+ACE+Experiment+5-12-26.pdf

PDF

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

2 updates

PhaseClosed

Amendment 1Apr 27

Contract was updated

PostedMay 12

Sources Sought

Amendment 2May 12

Contract was updated

Response DeadlineMay 18

Deadline has passed

Submission Closed

05/18/2026, 11:00:00 AM UTC

Find active opportunities like this

Start your free trial to discover similar active contracts, track opportunities, and build proposals with AI assistance.

Organization & Contact Information

AgencyDepartment Of Homeland Security → Sci Technology Acq Division

Contacts1 person available

OfficeWASHINGTON, DC, 20528, USA

Organization / Agency

Department Of Homeland Security → Sci Technology Acq Division

Office AddressWASHINGTON, DC, 20528, USA

Contacts

NGFR

contact@example.gov

Full Description

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T), in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Canada, Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS), is hosting the 2026 Advanced Communications Experiment Cross-border Autonomous Vehicle Session Persistence Experiment and Research (ACE-CASPER). This multi-day experiment will take place along the U.S.-Canada border and will simulate a national emergency response scenario, evaluating how autonomous vehicles (AV), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and 5G-enabled technologies can support persistent cross-border communications, enhance situational awareness, and improve coordination between U.S. and Canadian response teams. During the experiment, UAS and AV will move across both sides of the border streaming live video to a bi-national command and control center (C2), deploy sensor-based payloads to assess the situation, relay that data back to C2, and use that data to inform decision making and response. The experiment will demonstrate:

• Secure, resilient 5G session persistence, with connectivity across U.S. and Canadian border networks;

• Seamless command and control (C2) handoff, and real-time data interoperability;

• Operational readiness validation for DHS components and DRDC with State, Provincial, and Local players in cross-border coordination; and

• Bi-national response coordination using enhanced, real-time situational awareness tools.

Vehicle autonomy level is secondary to the experiment’s primary objective of demonstrating resilient, persistent 5G communications across U.S. and Canadian networks.

Objective

The ACE-CASPER Experiment aims to evaluate the operational readiness and technological capabilities of 5G Session Persistence and 5G connectivity with UAS and AV systems in a cross-border emergency scenario. Vendors are expected to demonstrate solutions that ensure secure, resilient 5G connectivity, real-time situational awareness, and seamless interoperability between U.S. and Canadian networks.

The experiment does not require autonomous decision-making or AI-driven navigation; the primary focus is validating reliable 5G connectivity, session persistence, and command-and-control performance.

Please see the details in the attached ACE-CASPER Experiment 2026 for UAS and AV operational capabilities, participation requirements, and submission form.

4/27 Update: Revised RFI documents with corrected typographical error.

5/12 Update: Submission deadline extended to 5/18/26 at 7 AM Eastern.