- CBP is preparing a follow-on for communications modernization
- The effort will support CBP field units, operations centers and headquarters elements
- The 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 10 will explore DHS technology priorities
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is planning to release a solicitation for the Communications Network Enhancement Technology follow-on contract, valued between $50 million and $100 million.
What Is the Scope of the C-NET Contract?
According to a procurement notice published Tuesday on the Department of Homeland Security’s Acquisition Planning Forecast System, the C-NET effort will support the deployment, capability and integration of edge-driven situational awareness, sensor and communications technologies for CBP field units, operational centers and headquarters elements.
Modern communications and situational awareness technologies are central to CBP’s evolving operational needs. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 10 will examine these and other DHS technology priorities with government and industry leaders. Save your seat today!
The prospective contract will draw on the operational experience, lessons learned and technical groundwork of the previous indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract.
CBP plans to structure the requirement as a firm-fixed-price contract and has reserved it for small businesses. The agency anticipates releasing the solicitation Aug. 20 and awarding the contract in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026. The resulting contract would run through Sept. 21, 2031, with Syzygy currently serving as incumbent.
How Does C-NET Fit Into Broader CBP Modernization Efforts?
The C-NET follow-on comes as CBP pursues several other modernization initiatives. The agency is separately planning a contract vehicle valued at more than $100 million for the Design Intelligence Mission Modernization Hub, or DIMOD, intended to modernize CBP’s mission and business applications for enforcement, trade, traveler processing and employee and external user management. That effort is being pursued as a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer contract, with Steampunk listed as the incumbent. CBP expects to release a solicitation Aug. 24.
The agency has also issued a solicitation to establish a Lifecycle Maintenance and Sustainment Working Group, a separate effort valued between $50 million and $100 million that will assess business processes for the agency’s surveillance and communication networks and develop long-term sustainment strategies. That contract is expected to be awarded under the SBIR program, with CGI serving as the incumbent.
