REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - Riverine Surface Patrol Platform

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This is an 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 or Broad Area Announcement (BAA). This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. CBP is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or BAA. If a solicitation is released, it will be via the Federal Business Opportunities website (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government, and will not be returned. The mission of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is to Protect the American People and Nation's critical infrastructure through the coordinated use of integrated air and marine forces to detect, interdict, and prevent acts of terrorism and the unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs, and other contraband toward or across the borders of the United States. CBP AMO is currently seeking information on the manufacture of riverine airboats or other vessels that may meet the requirements referenced by this document to support the United States Border Patrol (USBP) mission along the United States Southwestern border. The Riverine Surface Patrol Platform (RSPP) shall be designed to provide a means of transportation to USBP Agents and resources engaged in a wide variety of Department of Homeland Security missions and tasks in the Rio Grande River Valley. These missions and tasks are currently conducted by airboats in shallow to moderately deep waters and from soft river bed to rocky substrate. The RSPP will also be used in areas of river covered with weed, grass, and mud. The USBP active patrolling of border rivers, lakes, marshlands, and restricted waterways serves as a deterrent to criminals and illegals attempting to cross the border. The USBP conducts riverine operations 24 hours per day, 365 days per year to perform three primary operational tasks: patrolling, intelligence gathering, and deterrence operations. The RSPP may be employed to support secondary missions, when required, including the transport of additional law enforcement officers, cargo, equipment, detainees, other individuals, and towing of other law enforcement or detained water vessels. The RSPP vessels are not intended to conduct pursuit or intercept operations or tasks. The vessel shall have a seating arrangement that allows for up to five Border Patrol Agents. Support to this diverse mission set will require space on board the boat for additional people, equipment and contraband. The RSPP shall be designed to: conduct operations on rivers, lakes, marshlands, and inland waterways including areas of deep moving river waters, small rapids, partially exposed sand and gravel bars, and areas of extremely shallow water where other marine platforms are incapable of navigating. The safety of Agents and others is of the highest priority; design and construction of the boat(s) shall take safety into consideration at all times.