Border Security Testbed Consortium Orchestrator for the Science and Technology Directorate

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through its Science and Technology Directorate and HSARPA, is seeking input via a Request for Information to establish a Border Security Testbed Consortium Orchestrator capable of coordinating rapid, rigorous, and reliable test and evaluation activities for land and maritime border security technologies. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovation and operational deployment by creating a collaborative network of facilities and subject matter experts, managed by a single orchestrator entity responsible for overseeing all contractual and operational functions with T&E providers. The orchestrator will be tasked with coordinating logistics such as facility access, equipment deployment, personnel assignments, and transportation; managing joint planning sessions, technical reviews, and post-test debriefs; securely curating and transferring test data with appropriate metadata for traceability and reuse; ensuring compliance with DHS safety and regulatory standards; and executing, modifying, and closing out agreements in accordance with federal regulations and DHS policies. Full reporting on activities, outcomes, and lessons learned will be required, and the entity must demonstrate proven ability to build and sustain partnerships across diverse test environments. Response to this RFI is limited to a seven-page document, with mandatory content capped at two pages and optional content at five pages, submitted in Word or PDF format using 12-point font and one-inch margins. Submissions must include a cover letter with the company name, address, website, UEI number, size and socio-economic status under NAICS code 541715, and contact details for both technical and contracting points of contact. Responses must be sent via email to the designated DHS points of contact by July 24, 2026, with the solicitation number clearly stated in the subject line. As this is a market research effort and not a solicitation for proposals or quotes, no contract award will result directly from this RFI, and all response costs are borne by respondents. DHS explicitly does not accept proprietary, trade secret, or confidential information under 18 U.S.C. §1905, and respondents are responsible for ensuring compliance with this restriction. No formal contract clauses, evaluation criteria, pricing details, or delivery schedules are included, as this is a pre-solicitation tool to gather industry capabilities and inform future procurement strategy.