Customs and Border Protection (CBP) SOLICITATION NUMBER HSBP1017R0023

Transcription

1 A PROPOSAL IN RESPONSE TO Customs and Border Protection (CBP) SOLICITATION NUMBER HSBP1017R0023 By Border Technology, Inc S. Border Monument Rd. Hereford, AZ March 29,

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Demonstrated Experience Team 3 Management and Technical Competence 4 Prototype Concept Approach 5 Operational Control of the Border 5 Presidential Executive Order 6 Measuring Operational Control 6 BORDAS - Border Detection and Assessment System 7 SEIDARM Seismic Detection and Ranging Mechanism 7 IDENTICOPTER 11 Demonstration Plan 10 SUMMARY 12 2

3 NOTICE THIS PROPOSAL OFFERS A TOOL TO ASSIST IN THE DESIGN AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE BORDER WALL SYSTEM, WHICH WAS HERETOFORE UNAVAILABLE. 1) Demonstrated Experience Team Each of the companies listed here has been involved in the development of the SIEDARM Seismic Detection and Ranging Mechanism - system since its inception in Border Technology, Inc. Border Technology, Inc. (BTI) has been developing and demonstrating technology for border enforcement for fourteen years. This includes: Development of stand-alone ground sensors 2002; Development of drones for border security ; Remotely operated border camera system ; Seamless seismic detection and ranging systems 2009 to Basin Geophysical Basin Geophysical LLC is a privately held, Texas based, land seismic data acquisition company, established in 1993, to serve the needs of smaller Texas Independent Oil Exploration Companies. This core mission continues, expanding only to offer these same services to Independents in adjacent states. It was a meeting at Basin Geophysical in 2010 between Glenn Spencer, Mike King and Craig Walters, that led to the development of SEIDARM. Seistronix Seistronix was founded in Silicon Valley in 1982, and has been manufacturing instrumentation for the geophysical industry for over 27 years. Seistronix moved to Folsom, California in 1989, and then to its current location in Rancho Cordova, California, a suburb of Sacramento, in With the recent introduction of the EX-12 seismograph, Seistronix has instruments that address the whole range of seismic exploration. A long-term professional relationship between Basin Geophysical and Seistronix led to its involvement in the development of SEIDARM. Its technical staff has worked closely with Ran Talbott of Border Technology since

4 2) Management and Technical Competence Each of the individuals listed here will be available to work on the proposed project. Glenn Spencer President, BTI Glenn Spencer has worked to solve the issue of border accountability for fifteen years. He pioneered the development of the Border Hawk UAV, the Virtual Vigilance remote surveillance system, and holds a patent for the SEIDARM Seismic Detection and Ranging Mechanism. (U.S. Patent 9,151,855) In the past year his high-tech work on the border has been featured on TV news in: Denmark, Norway, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan - as well as the Voice of America to 1985: VP/Gen. Mgr. Arrowstar, Inc. - a Montana-based seismic oil exploration company. His clients included ARCO, Chevron and Shell Oil. B.A.: Economics/Mathematics, CSUN Instrument-rated pilot with more than 7,000 hrs. PIC Mike King, VP Border Technology, Inc. Mike King, a former Army sniper, has worked closely with Glenn Spencer for the past fifteen years. He developed Ground Pilot, the software that controlled the Border Hawk UAV. americanpatrol.com/04-features/ ABP-BORDERHAWK- KGUN/040504_Feature.html Ground Pilot was sold around the world, including China. King is co-holder of the SEIDARM patent. Gregg Voss, PhD Gregg Voss - degrees from John Hopkins University in Engineering, Electrical/bioengineering, and PhD in Biomedical Engineering, He is a noted expert in digital signal processing and has been working on the development and refinement of the SEIDARM algorithm since

5 Gregg Walters, PE Mr. Walters is the owner of Basin Geophysical and was instrumental in launching SEIDARM. He has twenty six years experience in seismic data acquisition. In 2010, he participated in the first formal demonstration of what is now SEIDARM. Ran Talbott Ran has been involved with SEIDARM since He is a senior Software Engineer, specializing in the development of embedded systems, and PC-based systems to control and test microcontroller-driven products. He works in Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, Perl and MySQL, and Lab Windows - to name a few. He developed the original backbone software for SEIDARM and continues to refine the system as test and evaluation continues. Graduate: Control Data Institute, San Jose, CA 3. Prototype Concept Approach Operational Control of the Border 2009 OIG Report 2009 report by the DHS Office of Inspector General - Progress in Addressing Secure Border Initiative Operational Requirements and Constructing the Southwest Border Fence - Included the following: Recommendation #1 Require the Border Patrol to provide consistent and specific information in documenting its operational requirements for tactical infrastructure so that actual border fence construction can be linked to the Border Patrol's mission needs for operational control. (Page 13) The tool proposed herein has the ability to link border fence construction to operational control of the border. 5

6 2012 GAO Report In 2012, a GAO Report (GAO-13-25) Key Elements of New Strategic Plan Not Yet in Place to Inform Border Security Status and Resource Need - Included the following: Recommendations for Executive Action To support the implementation of Border Patrol s Strategic Plan and identify the resources needed to achieve the nation s strategic Goal for securing the border, we recommend that the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection ensure that the Chief of the Office of Border Patrol establish milestones and time frames for developing a performance goal, or goals, for border security between the POEs that defines how border security is to be measured; and a performance measure, or measures linked to a performance goal or goals for assessing progress made in securing the border between POEs and informing resource identification and allocation efforts. (page 40) The tool proposed herein is designed to provide Customs and Border Protection with consistent and specific information to link border fence construction to the Border Patrol s mission needs for operational control. Presidential Executive Order On January 25, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order mandating the construction of a wall on the U.S/Mexico border. Section 4 of the order reads, in part, as follows: Sec. 4. Physical Security of the Southern Border of the United States. The Secretary shall immediately take the following steps to obtain complete operational control, as determined by the Secretary, of the southern border: Section 3 of the order defines operational control as follows: (h) "Operational control" shall mean the prevention of all unlawful entries into the United States, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other contraband. Measuring Operational Control For the reasons given in the following, this proposal is made as stand-alone from any design-build offer. 6

7 Linking operational control to CBP s mission is complicated by the absence of a reliable count of the total number of illegal entries into the United States. The technology being proposed herein can count all unlawful entries into the United States between ports of entry. This information can help establish a priority scheme based on operational control of the border. It can be used to guide border wall selection, and, once installed, how well it is achieving operational control of the border. The proposed technology can also guide all wall designs. For example, wall construction calls for a 6-foot deep foundation to deter tunneling. The proposed system is capable of detecting tunnel construction at an early stage, possibly allowing modification of the requirement for anti-tunneling footing. Existing ground sensors have been found to have a very high false alarm rate. "One report by the DHS Inspector General, OIG-06-15, found that, of almost 30,000 sensor alarms, only about 250 led to an apprehension. A program to replace existing ground sensors was halted in 2013 due to frequency management problems. (Wired Magazine, Feb. 11, 2013.) The system being proposed has a significantly lower false alarm rate than conventional ground sensors, and compares favorably to fiber optic systems. By proving reliable detection, it has the potential of being a force multiplier for existing DHS/CBP assets such as the Predator UAV and border camera towers - thus leading to a higher level of operational control of the border in the near term, possibly influencing the requirement for a permanent infrastructure. BORDAS The proposed system is called BORDAS Border Detection and Assessment System. It is made up of two major elements SEIDARM and IDENTICOPTER. SEIDARM Seismic Detection and Ranging Mechanism SEIDARM is patented as a BARRIER DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD. (U.S. Patent 9,151,855, Spencer, et al., October 6, 2015) SEIDARM is capable of detecting and locating humans, vehicles and low flying aircraft. It employs technology similar to that used in seismic oil exploration. Much of the hardware is similar, and off-the-shelf. As humans walk toward a protected barrier, sensors called Pods detect seismic waves. Pods are connected by cable to a seismograph, which filters the data and converts it to digital format. Multiple seismographs are connected in series to a computer. A computer algorithm processes data from the seismographs and, if the data meet criteria, an alarm is issued via radio. The system is comprised of Pods, Nodes, Elements and Segments. A Node consists of a seismograph that processes data from Pods. An element consists 7

8 of six Pods covering ¼-mile, connected to a Node. A Segment consists of twenty elements, covering five miles of Pods. The Hub houses the central computer algorithm and radio transmitter. It also functions as a Node. There is one Hub per segment. Threats at multiple locations within a Segment can be identified simultaneously. Individual five-mile segments can be installed serially to provide coverage of any distance. Years of testing have demonstrated that a single human walking toward the barrier can be detected, on average, at 500 feet, vehicles at 1,200 feet and aircraft at altitudes up to 3,000 feet. SEIDARM can be used as a stand-alone system, however, owing to the synergy of smart sensors and smart drones, we are including IDENTICOPTER in the proposed demonstration. 8

9 IDENTICOPTER IDENTICOPTER is a generic term used to describe a small, electric drone that uses SEIDARM data to fly to the location of a threat - sending video of what its cameras see. SEIDARM provides detection, location and classification (people, vehicle, aircraft). IDENTICOPTER provides live images of Objects of Interest (OI), including people and vehicles. Once criteria have been satisfied, SEIDARM s algorithm launches IDENTICOPTER sending it to the coordinates of the Object of Interest (OI). Takeoff, flight and return to land are automatic (supervised by a drone pilot at all times during the demonstration phase). Upon reaching the GPS coordinates given by SEIDARM, IDENTICOPTER executes a pre-programmed search pattern, after which it returns to its hangar/silo for solar battery recharging. Based on present off-the-shelf drone technology, the search pattern can last up to 25 minutes. The BORDAS system includes the capability of one or more IDENTICOPTERs for each 5-mile segment. IDENTICOPTER will ultimately be designed to reach the furthest sensor (2.5 miles) within two minutes, during which time the average human would have walked about 550 feet. It is theoretically possible, therefore, for IDENTICOPTER to catch barrier crossers in the act. IDENTICOPTER(s) will be housed in a hangar/silo with a lid that remains closed except during launch and recovery. The silo includes a system to recharge IDENTICOPER s batteries using solar power. Future growth could include the use of automatic tracking and facial identification and well as manual control of the drone by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. IDENTICOPTER provides the means to quickly determine the cause any false alarm, providing valuable data for algorithm adjustments. COMMAND AND CONTROL In an operational environment, each U.S. Border Patrol station might be provided appropriate BORDAS command and control for its Area of Responsibility, (AOR). COVERAGE BORDAS can be installed in any terrain along the border with Mexico. COST BORDAS would cost a small fraction of a border wall. INSTALLATION Installation of SEIDARM involves burying Pods, cables, Nodes and the Hub. Depth-of-bury does not affect performance and can be from, say, 12 inches to, 9

10 say, 6 feet, depending on operational requirements. In places such as the Roosevelt Reserve, one crew can install about four miles of SEIDARM in one day. Cables can be direct-bury, or encased on pipe such as PVC, as protection against vandalism. Nodes, presently occurring every 1/4 mile, will be enclosed in an 18 x 12 x 6 vault, whereas hub vaults, located every five miles, will be 24 x 24 x 11. The demonstration plan calls for Nodes to be spaced every ½-mile. Above ground, solar panels occur every mile to supply Nodes and the Hub. Each solar panel has a buried controller and battery. Solar panels can be offset from the main cable line and disguised. An antenna associated with the Hub will occur every five miles. HISTORY SEIDARM has been under continuous testing and development for the past six years. A patent was awarded in October of 2015 (U.S. Patent 9,151,855). In 2016, a ½-mile SEIDARM system was installed one half mile north of the border in Cochise county in difficult terrain, crossing two washes. It remained in place during the monsoon season and performed as planned with good results in detecting suspected illegal drug smuggling activity. DEMONSTRATION PLAN A thirty-day BORDAS test and evaluation program is proposed. The plan calls for the installation of one-mile of the SEIDARM system on private property on and adjoining the Border Technology border test range in Hereford, Arizona. 10

11 The test range is equipped with a numbering scheme showing feet from the sensor line, plus mobile, mast-mounted thermal and color cameras. SEIDARM Detection/Classification A test plan will be developed to test the detection and classification of an Object of Interest (OI) as human, vehicle or aircraft. BTI s border test range is equipped with a variety of instrumentalities that aid in such an assessment, including live GPS tracking of people, vehicles and aircraft, and mobile mast-mounted thermal and color cameras. Test will evaluate detection range under varying conditions as to the number of subjects, type of walking, type of vehicle, terrain, etc. False Alarm Rate All Red alarms (highest confidence) for people and vehicles will be investigated by IDENTICOPTER (supervised by check pilot), thus providing data to establish false alarm rate during the demonstration. These data will be combined with historic data gathered by BTI in a recent desert deployment to set an overall expected false alarm rate. IDENTICOPTER Tests will include SEIDARM control of IDENTICOPTER to determine probability of identification of human targets based on programmed search patterns. IDENTICOPTER will be equipped for night tests using thermal cameras. Special care will be taken to assure safety and FAA compliance. A hangar/silo will be erected to be used to demonstrate automatic takeoff and landing in a restricted area. The silo will include a mechanism for solar-powered battery recharge. Note: All IDENTICOPTER flights will be under the supervision of person with a small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (suas) Airman Certificate who can take 11

12 control at any time, and flown within FAA rules governing small unmanned aircraft. IDENTICOPTER Selection Drone technology is advancing rapidly with some popular models with a video range in excess of 4 miles and speeds in excess of 60 mph. Over the past three years BTI has experimented with electric drones, including a number of 3DR and Parrot systems. For the test phase, BTI will chose 2 or more commercially available drone systems. Integration of these drones into the BORDAS system will be done via software SUMMARY BORDAS is capable of detecting and identifying intrusions along the entire U.S./Mexico border - providing a direct measure of operational control long recognized as a major need of Customs and Border Protection. Half the battle on the border is knowing where to look. SEIDARM alone can be a force multiplier by providing existing Customs and Border Protection assets such as the Predator UAV and border camera towers with a reliable, seamless intrusion detection system. Over the past year the SEIDARM/IDENTICOPTER system has been the subject of numerous positive stories in the media, including the Voice of America. 12

13 Project Performance Survey and Summary Matrix Wall Requirements BORDAS can assist in evaluating wall requirements Political Contentiousness In the past year, more than ten international news organizations have come to the border to see SEIDARM/IDENTICOPTER in action. The results have been very positive. Tactical Infrastructure SEIDARM has been installed in a tactical setting on the southwest border with success in detecting and tracking suspected drug smugglers. Challenging Terrain SEIDARM has been installed in an area subject to flooding. It operated during the monsoon season without failure. In twenty-five years, team member Basin Geophysical has performed seismic surveys over every type of terrain. Dollar Threshold N/A Experience working with large number of federal, state and local stakeholders Limited to a major demonstration of SEIDARM for Arizona Governor Ducey s Border Strike Task Force (2016). Team Work The members of the team have worked together more less continuously for the past seven years. 13