Under the IFT Program, Customs and Border Patrol is deploying a non-developmental, proven, low-risk, and reliable infrastructure and integrated sensor technology baseline that is able to detect, identify, and classify Items of Interest (IoIs). CBP IFT systems detect an average single walking person who is obscured from 50-90% for periods of up to 3 seconds at a range of 7.5 miles. United States Border Patrol (USBP) Agents utilize this system to implement an appropriate law enforcement resolution to IoIs identified by the IFT system. IFT installations also feature the installation of CCTV cameras at each IFT tower site.
These sites consist of a tower that ranges from 80’ to 180’ tall, necessary for mounting sensor and communication (backhaul) equipment. An enclosure is installed at the base of the tower, beneath the solar array and contains all the radio and power equipment necessary to operate the site. The majority of the sites are powered by a standalone solar system, backed up by a generator. The entire site is surrounded by security fencing that is alarmed to detect intrusion. A security camera system is tied into the alarm system to allow identification and interdiction, as necessary.
The sites are installed in accordance with an “in depth” detection philosophy along approximately a 30-mile-deep area North of the Southern border with Mexico. As a result, almost all sites are in an extremely remote locations presenting logistical challenges not normally encountered with General Construction. As well as designing and supplying the entire infrastructure package for each site, ITL had to develop and execute a logistics plan that would allow the site to be completed in a timely and efficient manner. These unique challenges and the solutions developed have allowed ITL to apply them to other projects, giving ITL an advantage when presented with a tight schedule, budget, and challenging circumstances.
The IFT system technology consists of sensor technology (long range ground surveillance radar, Electro-Optical [EO], IR, and CCTV cameras, laser range finder, and IR illuminator) installed atop a lattice tower. The system runs on a renewable solar battery powered system that has a propane generator back-up. Each IFT fixed sensor tower unit resides within a secured, fenced-in compound.
ITL was part of the winning team with EFW Inc. This was a multi-year, multi-task order project that is valued in excess of $30M that involved design-build construction services. ITL constructed 58 new Fixed Surveillance Tower Unit (FSTU) and Communications Tower Unit (CTU) sites for the 6 IFT Areas of Responsibility (AoRs). ITL performed the design-build and installation of these towers in accordance with TIA-222-G/R-56/FAA-019e specifications. ITL provided construction, engineering, and architectural services to build the ground up FSTU/CTU sites including tower/structural, civil/grounding, and electrical drawings. ITL provides services required to provide spectrum support, and to architect, design, and implement the tactical communications back-haul systems. ITL provides Warehousing support and Operations and Maintenance/Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for all 58 deployed IFT sites.
