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Press Releases on Construction of the Border Wall Prototypes
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionRelease Date:
March
17, 2017
CBP Requests Proposals for Border Wall Prototypes
WASHINGTON– U.S. Customs and Border Protection released two Requests for Proposal to award multiple contracts and initial task orders for the design and construction of wall prototypes.
The RFPs are posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website. To view them, click here and here.
The Presidential Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, states that “the Secretary shall take steps to immediately plan, design and construct a physical wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete operational control of the southern border.”
CBP issued two RFPs to acquire multiple conceptual wall designs with the intent to construct multiple prototypes. Prototyping is an industry-tested approaches to identify the best solution when considering a new product or methodology. Through the construction of prototypes, CBP will partner with industry to identify the best means and methods to construct border wall before making a more substantial investment in construction.
The prototypes will inform future design standard(s) which will likely continue to evolve to meet USBP’s requirements. Any and all prototypes will be designed to deter illegal entry into the United States. Through the prototyping process, CBP may identify new designs or influences for new designs that will expand the current border barrier toolkit that CBP will use to construct a border wall system. The border barrier toolkit is based on USBP’s requirements.
Last published:
March 18, 2017
__________________
The RFPs [PDF]
Solid Concrete Wall Prototype Construction Design-Build, Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Task Order Contract (TOC)
Release Date: August 25, 2017
Since day one, CBP has been working to implement President Trump’s Executive Order 13767 - also known as Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements – and former DHS Secretary Kelly’s directive to “take steps to immediately plan, design and construct a physical wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete operational control of the southern border.” This efforts include the construction of new infrastructure, the replacement of current border infrastructure with new and more effective systems, and the hiring of new agents and officers into the CBP ranks.
An important component includes the development of border wall prototypes. Earlier this year two requests for proposal (RFP) were issued. One RFP is for a reinforced concrete wall design. The other is for alternatives to concrete wall. After review of several hundred submissions, the pool was reduced to fewer than 20 potential bidders.
The GAO has now dismissed pending protests that would have delayed our ability to award contracts for the prototypes until this Fall. Before the protests were filed, CBP had anticipated contract awards this summer. With the protest dismissal, and because CBP has continued to conduct contract source selection activities even despite the protests, CBP now expects to make prototype awards within the next weeks. We note that, with the award of contracts, unsuccessful bidders will have new opportunities to file protests, which could further delay construction. However we are confident in our processes, and we will proceed deliberately, to ensure compliance with the law.
The prototypes themselves will be built and evaluated in order to help us create a “design standard” for operational walls. The new designs would be added to our menu of existing designs, and allow us to tailor a specific wall design to the unique demands of individual areas of the border.
CBP anticipates constructing 4-8 prototypes in the San Diego Sector Area of Responsibility because of site accessibility to construct and the ability to evaluate wall as part of a larger, existing border infrastructure system; as well as because of the operational importance of the border area in San Diego.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Construction Begins on Wall
Prototypes
__________________
The RFPs [PDF]
Solid Concrete Wall Prototype Construction Design-Build, Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Task Order Contract (TOC)
Release Date: August 25, 2017
CBP Statement on Dismissal of Wall Prototype Protest
Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) received word that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) dismissed protests which had delayed our ability to award contracts for the wall prototypes in San Diego. This means that we are now able to award contracts as soon as we are ready. We therefore expect to make awards soon.Since day one, CBP has been working to implement President Trump’s Executive Order 13767 - also known as Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements – and former DHS Secretary Kelly’s directive to “take steps to immediately plan, design and construct a physical wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete operational control of the southern border.” This efforts include the construction of new infrastructure, the replacement of current border infrastructure with new and more effective systems, and the hiring of new agents and officers into the CBP ranks.
An important component includes the development of border wall prototypes. Earlier this year two requests for proposal (RFP) were issued. One RFP is for a reinforced concrete wall design. The other is for alternatives to concrete wall. After review of several hundred submissions, the pool was reduced to fewer than 20 potential bidders.
The GAO has now dismissed pending protests that would have delayed our ability to award contracts for the prototypes until this Fall. Before the protests were filed, CBP had anticipated contract awards this summer. With the protest dismissal, and because CBP has continued to conduct contract source selection activities even despite the protests, CBP now expects to make prototype awards within the next weeks. We note that, with the award of contracts, unsuccessful bidders will have new opportunities to file protests, which could further delay construction. However we are confident in our processes, and we will proceed deliberately, to ensure compliance with the law.
The prototypes themselves will be built and evaluated in order to help us create a “design standard” for operational walls. The new designs would be added to our menu of existing designs, and allow us to tailor a specific wall design to the unique demands of individual areas of the border.
CBP anticipates constructing 4-8 prototypes in the San Diego Sector Area of Responsibility because of site accessibility to construct and the ability to evaluate wall as part of a larger, existing border infrastructure system; as well as because of the operational importance of the border area in San Diego.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
U.S.
Customs
and Border Protection
Release Date: August 31, 2017
Release Date: August 31, 2017
CBP Awards Contracts for Border Wall Prototypes
WASHINGTON —
U.S.
Customs
and
Border
Protection (CBP) announced today that contracts
have been awarded for concrete prototypes of the Border Wall.
The companies selected to construct concrete border wall prototypes are:
• Caddell Construction Co., (DE), LLC, Montgomery, Alabama,
• Fisher Sand & Gravel Co., DBA Fisher Industries, Tempe, Arizona,
• Texas Sterling Construction Co., Houston, Texas, and
• W. G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, Philadelphia, Mississippi.
These concrete prototypes will serve two important ends. First, given their robust physical characteristics, like, reinforced concrete, between 18-30 feet high, the concrete border wall prototypes are designed to deter illegal crossings in the area in which they are constructed.
Second, the concrete border wall prototypes will allow CBP to evaluate the potential for new wall and barrier designs that could complement the wall and barrier designs we have used along the border over the last several years. As the border security environment continues to evolve, CBP will continually refresh its own inventory of tools to meet that evolution.
CBP will make a decision on the “other materials” Request for Proposal (RFP) in the next week. CBP officials will meet with the vendors and determine construction timeline, however we expect to construct the prototypes in the fall.
Issued Jan. 25, Presidential Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, states that “the [Department of Homeland Security] Secretary shall take steps to immediately plan, design and construct a physical wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete operational control of the southern border.”
On March 17, CBP issued two Requests for Proposals to acquire conceptual wall designs with the intent to construct multiple prototypes. One RFP called for concrete wall design and the other RFP called for Other than Concrete wall design. Today, CBP announces the award of the concrete prototype contracts. Prototyping is an industry-tested approach to identify additional solutions when considering a new product or methodology. Through the construction of prototypes, CBP will partner with industry to identify the best means and methods to construct a border wall.
The prototypes will inform future design standards which will likely continue to evolve to meet the U.S. Border Patrol’s requirements. Through the prototyping process, CBP may identify new designs or influences for new designs that will expand the current border barrier toolkit that CBP could use to construct a border wall system. The border barrier toolkit is based on USBP’s requirements.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
The companies selected to construct concrete border wall prototypes are:
• Caddell Construction Co., (DE), LLC, Montgomery, Alabama,
• Fisher Sand & Gravel Co., DBA Fisher Industries, Tempe, Arizona,
• Texas Sterling Construction Co., Houston, Texas, and
• W. G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, Philadelphia, Mississippi.
These concrete prototypes will serve two important ends. First, given their robust physical characteristics, like, reinforced concrete, between 18-30 feet high, the concrete border wall prototypes are designed to deter illegal crossings in the area in which they are constructed.
Second, the concrete border wall prototypes will allow CBP to evaluate the potential for new wall and barrier designs that could complement the wall and barrier designs we have used along the border over the last several years. As the border security environment continues to evolve, CBP will continually refresh its own inventory of tools to meet that evolution.
CBP will make a decision on the “other materials” Request for Proposal (RFP) in the next week. CBP officials will meet with the vendors and determine construction timeline, however we expect to construct the prototypes in the fall.
Issued Jan. 25, Presidential Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, states that “the [Department of Homeland Security] Secretary shall take steps to immediately plan, design and construct a physical wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete operational control of the southern border.”
On March 17, CBP issued two Requests for Proposals to acquire conceptual wall designs with the intent to construct multiple prototypes. One RFP called for concrete wall design and the other RFP called for Other than Concrete wall design. Today, CBP announces the award of the concrete prototype contracts. Prototyping is an industry-tested approach to identify additional solutions when considering a new product or methodology. Through the construction of prototypes, CBP will partner with industry to identify the best means and methods to construct a border wall.
The prototypes will inform future design standards which will likely continue to evolve to meet the U.S. Border Patrol’s requirements. Through the prototyping process, CBP may identify new designs or influences for new designs that will expand the current border barrier toolkit that CBP could use to construct a border wall system. The border barrier toolkit is based on USBP’s requirements.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Release
Date:
September
26, 2017
Construction Begins on Wall
Prototypes
WASHINGTON —
Construction on
the eight
wall prototypes began
today (Tuesday, September 26) in San Diego with four of the
prototypes made of concrete,
while
the
other four will be constructed of alternate or “other
materials”.
"We are committed to securing our border and that includes constructing border walls. Our multi-pronged strategy to ensure the safety and security of the American people includes barriers, infrastructure, technology and people, said Ronald Vitiello, acting deputy commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Moving forward with the prototypes enables us to continue to incorporate all the tools necessary to secure our border."
All eight prototypes will be between 18-30 feet high and designed to deter illegal crossings in the area in which they are constructed and will inform future design standards which will likely continue to evolve to meet the U.S. Border Patrol’s requirements.
Completion of the wall prototype construction is expected within approximately 30 days of the Notice to Proceed.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Oct. 12 news reports CBSLA | NBCLA
"We are committed to securing our border and that includes constructing border walls. Our multi-pronged strategy to ensure the safety and security of the American people includes barriers, infrastructure, technology and people, said Ronald Vitiello, acting deputy commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Moving forward with the prototypes enables us to continue to incorporate all the tools necessary to secure our border."
All eight prototypes will be between 18-30 feet high and designed to deter illegal crossings in the area in which they are constructed and will inform future design standards which will likely continue to evolve to meet the U.S. Border Patrol’s requirements.
Completion of the wall prototype construction is expected within approximately 30 days of the Notice to Proceed.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Oct. 12 news reports CBSLA | NBCLA
Copyright © 2017 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in
Action.
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