The Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a notice announcing that it is seeking bids to build “several prototype wall structures in the vicinity of the United States border with Mexico.”
The solicitation for bids appears to be the first step in the process of President Trump’s promise to build a wall along the southern border which could potentially span 2,000 miles or more.
The bid process will be done in two phases. The first phase requires companies to submit concepts of the prototype designs by March 10, and the second phase will narrow down the candidates and require them to submit full proposals along with prices by March 24.
CBP said it plans to start awarding contracts by mid-April.
The full request for proposals reads:
The Dept. of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intends on issuing a solicitation in electronic format on or about March 6, 2017 for the design and build of several prototype wall structures in the vicinity of the United States border with Mexico. The procurement will be conducted in two phases, the first requiring vendors to submit a concept paper of their prototype(s) by March 10, 2017, which will result in the evaluation and down select of offerors by March 20, 2017. The second phase will require the down select of phase 1 offerors to submit proposals in response to the full RFP by March 24, 2017, which will include price. Multiple awards are contemplated by mid-April for this effort. An option for additional miles may be included in each contract award.
In addition to the wall, CBP was recently directed via executive order to hire another 5,000 Border Patrol agents. Both moves are part of a broader plan that Trump outlined during his presidential campaign to strengthen border security.
