Helium Certification

The Department of Homeland Security, through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Contracting Division, is seeking a services-oriented contract for the rehabilitation, requalification, and recertification of up to 30 helium tube trailers. These trailers are critical for sustaining 24/7/365 aerial surveillance operations along the U.S. Southern Border, Florida Keys, and Caribbean Area of Responsibility, specifically supporting Tethered Aerostat Radar Systems, Argos Tactical Maritime Surveillance Systems, and Tactical Aerostat Systems. All work must be performed in strict compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations to ensure operational readiness and safety. This is a sole-source acquisition justified under FAR 6.102-1 and 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) due to the unique technical and geographic requirements of the mission. The selected vendor must operate a facility within a 24-hour drive of key operational sites to minimize transportation costs and equipment wear, with a primary place of performance in Shawnee, Kansas, and a testing facility in Amarillo, Texas. Key performance requirements include a maximum turnaround time of three months per trailer and the capacity to store up to 30 trailers across two sites to support surge and prepositioning needs. The contract is funded via Fiscal Year 2026 Operations and Support funds.