NextGov reports that DHS has published a RFP for a successor to a failed $1 billion virtual border. The virtual fence will first be used at the Nogales Border Portal station and possibly at five other locations. The structure is required to endure temperatures up to 120 degrees, lighting and wind gusts up to 15 MPH. NextGov reports:
The proposed work order calls for “nondevelopmental” — already available from defense or industrial production lines — towers flanked with cameras designed to tolerate the extreme Arizona weather. The Southwest terrain undermined former contractor Boeing Co.’s previous try at what was then called the Secure Border Initiative network, leading DHS to switch to a more tailored surveillance strategy.
Immigration is certainly one of the hot-topics in the upcoming election and also one of the more contentious.The vendor who wins the contract must be able to supply the engineering, staff, management and equipment required for the virtual fence. The contract will last for a 10 year period.