Program Plan
Department of Homeland Security - Tactical Communications Modernization Program Recovery Plan
Updated 05/15/2009
Objectives
Program Purpose
The goal of the CBP Tactical Communications Modernization project is to provide CBP personnel agencies (Office of Border Patrol [OBP], Office of Field Operations [OFO)], and CBP Air and Marine [A&M]) with an upgraded Land Mobile Radio (LMR) communications system, while complying with the Federal mandates of the Project 25 (P25) standards. These LMR systems are a primary communications lifeline, and critical to mission execution and officer safety.
Public Benefits
Nearly 40,000 law enforcement agents and officers use LMR systems in the course of their duty to protect the Nation's borders. Many agents and officers work in remote areas where commercial communications do not exist, and their radios are their only connection to colleagues and Headquarters (HQ). However, Agency mission is currently challenged by existing LMR systems that are antiquated and fail to meet CBP operational and functional requirements. As a result, they leave critical coverage gaps, lack Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption, and must accept interference from other systems because they are not compliant with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) narrowband mandates. In addition, the existing infrastructure lacks the capacity to accommodate the large influx of new agents and officers expected on the southwest border and elsewhere.
CBP will be able to accomplish its Tactical Communications goal by utilizing ARRA funds to modernize existing LMR systems with state-of-the-art digital technology that complies with Project 25 (P25) standards, and provides for narrowband, AES encryption, and Global Positioning System (GPS)-supported Blue Force Tracking. CBP also seeks to expand coverage to minimize the risk of agents operating without tactical voice communications. The modernization effort will result in a robust, secure communications system that will allow CBP to interoperate with public sectors of law enforcement to ensure day-to-day operational missions are achieved. This upgrade benefits the American public through its support of DHS Strategic Goal 2.1: Secure borders against terrorists, means of terrorism, illegal drugs, and violations of trade and immigration laws.
Measures
No Data Available
Schedule and Milestones
P-25 Tactical Communications Construction and Deployment (Houlton):
Obtain DHS approval of the FY09 Acquisition Plan and Acquisition Decision Memorandum Est. Sept-09 Critical Milestone
Obtain FONSI June-09 Critical Milestone
Complete site lease negotiations for 2009 construction season sites Sept-09 Critical Milestone
Complete civil infrastructure build-out on 2009 construction season sites Nov-09
Complete site lease negotiations for 2010 construction season sites (all remaining sites) Mar-10 Critical Milestone
Complete civil infrastructure build-out on 2010 construction season sites Aug-10
Complete systems implementation, testing, and acceptance Mar-11 (Estimated)
The Houlton Modernization project is already underway, with system design completed and an initial $15 million available to execute the detailed engineering surveys needed to schedule the civil infrastructure build-out of the initial batch of RF sites in the Houlton system design, as well as to conduct requisite National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) analysis. The ARRA funding will be obligated to cover the civil infrastructure work that remains unaddressed by the initial $15 million, as well as to purchase, implement, optimize, and test the communications infrastructure equipment and to train users. CBP will be able to obligate ARRA funding for these purposes once its Acquisition Plan is approved. At that time, CBP will be able to construct a complete WBS and schedule to cover the remainder of the Houlton project.
The following notes are particularly cogent to the project schedule:
- CBP is working with external stakeholders and the CBP Environmental Division to complete the NEPA analysis required for the system, and hopes to achieve a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) statement by June 30, 2009. The FONSI is a requirement for CBP to enter into lease agreements, and thus to begin site development activities.
- Site lease negotiation is a separate external dependency that can impact project schedule. CBP is currently engaging site owners to begin lease negotiations in order to expedite lease signing once the FONSI is complete.
- Limited construction season. Seasonal conditions in Houlton limit CBP's ability to plan construction between October and March; delays in either the FONSI approval or site leases that move into this period can therefore affect the overall project schedule by several months. CBP will use the non-construction period to continue site lease negotiations for sites planned for the 2010 construction season.
- CBP is still in the preliminary stages of determining its plan for the IP Console and Infrastructure Modernization. It is gathering quotes from vendors and evaluating options. Once an award decision is made, CBP will acquire a project plan from the vendor and provide to the overall project plan.
Milestones
No Data Available
Projects and Activities
Houlton (ME) Tactical Communications Modernization: Completes RF site infrastructure upgrades, National Environmental Protection Act evaluations, communications equipment purchase and installation, testing, and training on the modernized Houlton system.
El Paso (TX) Tactical Communications Modernization: Purchases a portion of the civil infrastructure equipment needed to modernize the focus area.
Internet Protocol (IP) Communications Console Upgrades: Transitions CBP Tactical Communications hub dispatch operator equipment to an IP-based functional and capability that will position CBP tactical communications systems to transition to the DHS OneNet
IP Infrastructure Upgrades: Upgrades CBP Tactical Communications hub in preparation for IP based technology enhancements that will position CBP tactical communications systems to transition to the DHS OneNet.
Review Process
The Tactical Communications modernization program will be monitored and evaluated by various internal and external evaluation teams. The objective of these efforts is to ensure the appropriate level of government oversight, risk identification and mitigation, and ensure accountability for decisions made by the program's leadership. Monitoring and evaluation will be obtained through the following mechanisms:
- CBP Executive Steering Committee composed of senior executives representing the CBP Office of Information and Technology, Office of Border Patrol, Office of Field Operations, and Air and Marine. The ESC also includes Secure Border Initiative Program office representatives.
- CBP Wireless Steering Committee charted to provide guidance and oversight on enterprise wide CBP tactical communications initiatives.
- CBP OIT program management reviews, held quarterly, that will gauge the scope, schedule, and performance of the progress made for the project.
- Regular focus area site visits by CBP project managers to validate the performance of the modernization efforts.
Cost and Performance Plan
CBP, through DHS, has a link at the www.recovery.gov web site that requires financial data related to ARRA funding to be submitted on a regular basis. CBP's enterprise wide financial system, utilizing SAP software, integrates budget, accounting, procurement and property data. As a result we are in a strong position to quickly and accurately provide financial and performance data. The Tactical Communications program will provide its program cost and performance information through the Department. This program does not involve the utilization of grant processing.
CBP's financial system and processes will provide a strong capability to measure performance against Recovery Act goals, in particular measures of obligated, expended and undelivered. Consequently we will be able to monitor our financial performance in an accurate and timely manner and identify any issues quickly. In addition, our system gives us the same ability to measure actual performance regarding competitive procurement activity.
Energy Efficiency Spending Plans
CBP's TacCom program will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and related statutes for the proposed modernization to the LMR systems.
NEPA and Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA direct CBP to fully understand, and consider during decision making, the environmental consequences of proposed federal actions (projects). CBP policies related to environmental planning and historic preservation require compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, Executive Orders and DHS directives for the protection of the human and natural environment. In accordance with these requirements, CBP will comply with all environmental planning and historic preservation requirements associated with the modernization of LMR systems.
CBP is currently in the process of preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for LMR systems upgrades within the Houlton Sector to analyze potential impacts to the human and natural environments associated with the proposed infrastructure modernization within Houlton Sector. In compliance with NEPA and NHPA, CBP will conduct architectural and archeological surveys to identify cultural and historical resources of significance. CBP will consult with State Historic Preservation Offices, coordinate potentially impacted federally recognized tribal nations, and engage local stakeholder groups to determine impacts to sites that are listed on, or potentially eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places. Similarly each site will be surveyed for the presence of threatened or endangered species and will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with the ESA. Potential impacts to these sensitive resources will be analyzed in the EA.
If during the course of installation or operations of the systems CBP discovers that sensitive historical, archeological, or biological resources could be impacted, project operations will be suspended and the appropriate authorities consulted.
In addition to complying with environmental regulations, CBP will work with vendors to ensure that the project is executed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable fashion. This will include compiling data on such factors as the purchase of energy efficient products, alternative energy sources, and other data needed to complete the DHS environmental sustainability matrix.
Program Plan Award Types
No Data Available