Design deadline is extended for wall along Mexican border

After announcing plans to seek designs, award contracts and begin construction prototypes for a U.S.Mexico border wall over the span of two months, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has extended the deadline.

Under the longer timeline, bidders will have until March 20 to create and submit designs for a physical barrier that will be built along the border in the agency’s San Diego Sector. These prototypes will then be tested for about 60 days.

“The intent of this procurement is to acquire and evaluate available wall prototypes and provide some initial construction of some wall segments,” the amended solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities website read. “But is not intended as the vehicle for the procurement of the total wall solution for the border with Mexico.”

CBP has not responded to requests for comment on its amended timeline. The updated solicitation did note the agency revised its request based on input it received after publishing the original post Feb. 24.

CBP also added some details, laying out basic guidelines for what wall-prototype designs should accomplish.

“We anticipate procuring concrete wall structures, nominally 30 feet tall, that will meet requirements for aesthetics, anti-climbing, and resistance to tampering or damage,” the post read.

Initially, the agency said it would accept submissions starting March 6, with the deadline to submit prototype designs set for March 10. CBP would have narrowed its selections 10 days later, and given the remaining bidders five days to come up with a full proposal, including cost estimates.

That process was far too fast, according to some consultants with federal contracting experience. Experts said the timeline for large projects is usually months, not weeks.

The compact schedule and lack of detail in the agency’s request could have led to disputes, and even lawsuits, experts said.

Whether interested bidders brought up those concerns to CBP is unknown. Under the amended solicitation, however, the agency extended the deadline for full proposals by more than a month.

It’s not clear how long the agency will take to narrow its choices. By this week, about 350 companies are interested in the high-profile and potentially lucrative project, according to the Federal Business Opportunities website.

Selected companies will have until May 3 to submit their full construction plans, including the price tag.