Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection Vulture Deterrence System for Radio Tower REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Response Date: 1/30/2020 Purpose: CBP is conducting market research to gain a greater understanding of the full range of available options for a Vulture Deterrence Netting System for fixed radio towers. This is an RFI released pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 – Market Research and Part 15.201(e). This RFI’s purpose is to obtain market information on viable sources of supply, industry practices, answers to specific questions, and industry comments relating to the attached draft Statement of Work (SOW). Background: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), operates a fixed radio tower at 200 W. Henrietta Ave. Kingsville, TX 78363. A population of approximately 300 vultures have built up and are roosting and nesting on the tower structure on the railings, catwalks, supports, and on rails and conduit throughout. Droppings mixed with urine are on all of these surfaces and throughout the interior of the tower where workers are in contact with it, as well as on areas below. Since the presence of birds attract more birds this rural tower will be a frequent and constant target for vultures. CBP is interested in obtaining responses to this RFI from prospective offerors that could provide viable and proven netting solutions to support the requirements outlined in the attached SOW. The Government encourages the responders to this RFI and prospective offerors to propose the most innovative, cost-effective method in achieving the desired objectives and results. The Government prefers minimal impacts, such as noise and visual deterrents to the surrounding areas. The structure is approximately 320’ tall (from ground to peak), with three sides measuring approximately 27’ wide at the base of the tower. Each leg is anchored on separate concrete slabs measuring approximately 13’ by 13’. Netting solution must be attached to the top of the structure, then follow straight down the angle beams in each section of the structure, follow the contour of the angle beams to the legs of the structure, then all the way to the ground (vertical). Netting solution must include two access points at approximately 60’ and 200’, these access point must utilize zippers to allow for unencumbered entrance to the interior of the tower behind the netting. Install must take place with all government equipment staying mounted to tower structure and no damage being incurred. Netting cannot cover, be mounted to or restrict access to the ladder or climbing apparatus. Installation of netting solution will be started after cleaning, rust remediation, and repainting of tower has been completed. Objective: CBP is seeking industry feedback regarding a viable netting deterrent to prevent bird roosting (specifically vultures) on remote radio towers. Netting solutions are preferred to have at least a ten-year product warranty. Page: 1 of 7 Opportunity: CBP wishes to identify industry specific information provided by suitable industry business partners to help better define the deterrence requirements that would accomplish the specified objective. Please reference attached pictures of the radio tower structure located in Appendix B. Schedule: CBP anticipates deploying the selected netting solution in August 2020 in order to have the system in place before the natural heavy vulture roosting period during the fall months. Responses Requested: In an effort to assist CBP in discovering available netting solutions and further refine our requirements, please provide responses to the following questions and requirements. Responses should include the following information: See Appendix A Instructions and Response Guidelines: RFI responses are due by 12:00 PM EST on Thursday, January 30th, 2020 and shall be limited to a total of 15 pages not including foldouts and full size page charts. Acceptable formats for submission are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Please provide the information you deem relevant in order to respond to the specific inquiries of the RFI. To support budget and planning purposes, interested parties encouraged to include rough cost estimates based upon the objectives outlined in the RFI. Information provided will be used solely by CBP as market research and will not be released outside of CBP. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid, or Request for Quotation, and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response to this request. All information contained in this RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. Responses shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contacting Officer no later than 12:00 PM EST on Thursday, January 30th, 2020. Contact Information: Contracting Officer: Matthew Korn Email address: matthew.a.korn@cbp.dhs.gov The Government is not required to respond to any information provided in response to this RFI. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor https://beta.sam.gov/ for additional information pertaining to this RFI. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS: 1. Appendix A: Interested Vendor Overview Questions 2. Appendix B: Site Photos 3. Appendix C: Draft Statement of Work (SOW) Page: 2 of 7 Appendix A: Interested Vendor Overview Questions Interested Vendors are requested to submit brief answers to the questions below. In addition, CBP welcomes feedback on the draft statement of work (SOW) contained in Appendix C. • Company Name, GSA Schedule Number, or other contract number, if applicable. • Product/Netting Solution Description1. Has your company product/netting solution been applied in other Government locations to deter vultures? If so, provide further information on the project(s). 2. Did your product/netting solution deter vultures from roosting on the structure? 3. What is the tallest structure that your company has applied a product/netting solution to, what was the method of installation? 4. What is your anticipated length of time for install completion? 5. What are the specifications of your product, for example weight, conductivity, strength? 6. Provide a specification sheet. 7. How does your product allow for tower workers to access equipment on the tower? • Contract Vehicles – 1. Is your product/netting solution available on GSA schedule or other existing Government Contract? If so, please provide the identifiers of any such contract vehicles on which your product/netting solution is available on. Environmental Impact – 1. What, if any, environmental impacts are associated with the proposed netting solution? • • Proprietary Netting Solution – 1. Is any part of your system or netting solution you would propose proprietary? If so, please describe. • Costs – Based on experience and on the descriptions below, provide estimated base and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs using a chart similar to below: − − − − Labor: Identify all labor costs to support the system and cost to install. Hardware Costs: Identify any hardware costs that may be incurred. Permitting: Identify any permitting costs. Other costs: Identify any other costs associated with supporting all aspects of the installed product over the length of the warranty. Costs/Period Labor Hardware Permits Annual Inspection Base Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Page: 3 of 7 Appendix B: Site Photos Page: 4 of 7 Appendix C: Draft SOW Customs and Border Protection Office of Information Technology STATEMENT OF WORK Radio Tower Vulture Deterrence Solution 01/09/2020 Page: 5 of 7 1 BACKGROUND U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), operates a fixed radio tower in Kingsville, TX. A population of vultures have built up and are roosting and nesting on the tower structure on the railings, catwalks, supports, and on rails and conduit throughout. Droppings mixed with urine are on all of these surfaces and throughout the interior of the tower where workers are in contact with it, as well as on areas below. Since the presence of birds attract more birds this rural tower will be a frequent and constant target for vultures. 2 SCOPE This SOW is for the procurement and installation of a proven vulture deterrence netting solution at a radio tower site located in Kingsville, TX 78363. The dimensions of the tower structure is approximately 320’ tall (from ground to upper antenna), and approximately 42’ square on concrete slab. Net-screens shall be attached to the hand railing of the top catwalk around the dome, then follow straight down and underneath platform to the angle beams, follow the contour of the angle beams to the legs of the structure, then all the way to the ground (vertical). Install support cables where needed to prevent wind flapping. Install net behind round microwave antennae. Netting solution must include two access points at approximately 60’ and 200’, these access point must utilize zippers to allow for unencumbered entrance to the interior of the tower behind the netting. Install must take place with all government equipment staying mounted to tower structure and no damage being incurred. Netting cannot cover, be mounted to or restrict access to the ladder or climbing apparatus. The netting shall be fully covered by a 10-year, all-inclusive repair/replace warranty. All associated hardware, accessories, and warranty-related repair services shall also be provided by the Contractor. Warranty-related repairs shall be performed “in place” at the installation facility. 3 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS This section not used. 4 REQUIREMENTS 4.1 Cable framing and support The contractor shall install and secure aircraft grade stainless steel cable framing to the perimeter of the areas to be netted, as well as various cable supports and turnbuckle links as needed. This framing will be under extreme tension and additional support cables will be mounted where needed to prevent sagging and movement during strong winds. 4.2 Tower Preparation The contractor shall power wash tower and perform spot corrosion abatement and touch up paint on tower prior to netting installation described below in Section 4.3 Netting. (Note: The tower was re-painted previously in 2018.) 4.3 Netting The contractor shall install netting specifically designed for large bird (vulture) Page: 6 of 7 abatement and deterrent to the cable perimeter frame and supports. The net will be secured so as not to provide any gaps for any type of bird to get behind it. Once completed, the net should be minimally noticeable & have no waves or wrinkles. 4.4 Warranty The contractor shall provide a minimum 10 year all-inclusive product warranty. All repairs required during the warranty period shall be coordinated with the site manager and, to the maximum extent possible, be performed on-site. 5 DELIVERABLES This Section not used. 6 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT/INFORMATION There is no GFE/GFI associated with this procurement. 7 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The Contractor shall deliver to and install the netting on the CBP radio tower located at 210 W. Henrietta Ave. Kingsville, TX 78563. The contractor shall provide 24 hour notice of intended delivery and installation to the facility manager. Delivery and installation shall be between the time of 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday only. Equipment warranty repairs and maintenance shall be conducted in-place. Contractor shall be responsible for all shipping cost, during the warranty period, to receive and return repaired or replaced equipment. 8 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance shall be 120 business days after contract award. 9 SECURITY There is no Classified, Personally Identifiable Information, or any other Sensitive Information associated with this procurement. Page: 7 of 7