Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0009161
The Kenya Persistent Aerial Surveillance Project (Funding Opportunity DFOP0009161) is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity issued by the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation under its Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) programming. The effort is structured as a cooperative agreement, which usually means the U.S. government expects to remain actively involved during implementation rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The project aims to introduce and operationalize a tethered drone capability to support persistent aerial surveillance for border monitoring and detection in Kenyas lake regions, where terrain and waterways can make traditional patrol methods difficult and where sustained observation can help identify illicit cross-border activity.
The core objective is to stand up a new, inventive tethered drone program that is both safe and effective, with the intent that it becomes a durable operational capability rather than a short-term demonstration. Tethered drones are typically used for longer-duration overwatch because the tether can provide continuous power and a secure data link, allowing extended flights compared to battery-only systems. In a border surveillance context, this can enable near-continuous monitoring of key corridors, landing sites, shoreline approaches, and other high-interest areas, while reducing the need for frequent recoveries and relaunches. The opportunity calls for an experienced implementer, suggesting the selected awardee should already have strong technical and programmatic experience with drone operations, training, safety and regulatory compliance, maintenance and logistics, and the design of surveillance concepts of operation in challenging environments.
A central feature of the project is partnership with the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) within Kenyas Ministry of Interior. The solicitation highlights that BPU is currently the only law enforcement unit in Kenya with a full-fledged drone program, and the project is meant to position BPU as the lead agency for this type of aerial surveillance work. In practical terms, that framing implies a focus on capacity building and institutionalization: developing operational procedures, training and mentoring operators and supervisors, integrating the system into routine patrol and command-and-control processes, and ensuring the capability can be sustained and expanded under BPU leadership after the project ends.
The total available funding is capped at USD 394,672 (award ceiling), and the government anticipates making a single award. The opportunity was created on 2024-03-29 and had an original closing date of 2024-04-19. The CFDA/assistance listing reference provided is 19.901, and the activity category is listed as Other. Because only one award is expected, the competition is effectively winner-take-all, and proposals would generally need to show a clear implementation plan, credible staffing and technical approach, realistic timelines, and strong risk management for safe operations.
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based non-federal entities such as state and local governments, federally recognized tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations, as well as foreign nonprofit organizations and foreign public entities (including international organizations). Domestic and foreign for-profit organizations may also apply, but they must waive any fee or profit, which is a common condition in some assistance mechanisms. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted capacity-building and technology introduction effort aimed at strengthening persistent aerial surveillance for border security in Kenyas lake-border environment, with BPU positioned to own and lead the capability going forward.Apply for DFOP0009161
- The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Kenya Persistent Aerial Surveillance Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.901.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $394,672.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Kenya Persistent Aerial Surveillance Project (DFOP0009161)
What is the Kenya Persistent Aerial Surveillance Project?
The Kenya Persistent Aerial Surveillance Project is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity focused on introducing and operationalizing a tethered drone capability for persistent aerial surveillance. The intended use is border monitoring and detection in Kenya's lake regions, where waterways and terrain make traditional patrol methods harder and where sustained observation can help identify illicit cross-border activity.
Which U.S. government bureau is issuing this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation under its Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) programming.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0009161.
What type of award is this?
This effort is structured as a cooperative agreement. That typically means the U.S. government expects to remain actively involved during implementation rather than only providing funds and stepping back.
What is the main goal of the project?
The core objective is to stand up a new, inventive tethered drone program that is safe and effective, and designed to become a durable operational capability rather than a short-term demonstration.
Why does the project focus on tethered drones?
Tethered drones are commonly used for longer-duration overwatch because the tether can provide continuous power and a secure data link. Compared to battery-only systems, this can support extended flights and near-continuous monitoring of priority areas without frequent recoveries and relaunches.
What kinds of surveillance needs does the project target?
The project is aimed at persistent surveillance for border monitoring and detection in Kenya's lake regions. In a border surveillance context, the capability can support near-continuous monitoring of key corridors, landing sites, shoreline approaches, and other high-interest areas.
Which Kenyan partner agency is central to the project?
A central feature is partnership with the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) within Kenya's Ministry of Interior.
What is the role of the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) in this project?
The solicitation describes BPU as the only law enforcement unit in Kenya with a full-fledged drone program, and the project is intended to position BPU as the lead agency for this type of aerial surveillance work. This implies a strong emphasis on capacity building and institutionalization under BPU leadership.
What does "capacity building and institutionalization" mean in this opportunity?
Based on the project description, it implies developing operational procedures, training and mentoring operators and supervisors, integrating the tethered drone system into routine patrol and command-and-control processes, and ensuring the capability can be sustained and expanded by BPU after the project ends.
How much funding is available?
The total available funding is capped at USD 394,672 (the award ceiling).
How many awards does the government expect to make?
The government anticipates making a single award.
Is this effectively a winner-take-all competition?
Yes. Since only one award is expected, the competition is effectively winner-take-all.
When was the opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2024-03-29, and the original closing date was 2024-04-19.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing reference provided is 19.901.
What is the listed activity category?
The activity category is listed as Other.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based non-federal entities such as state and local governments, federally recognized tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. It also includes foreign nonprofit organizations and foreign public entities (including international organizations). Domestic and foreign for-profit organizations may apply as well, but they must waive any fee or profit.
Can a for-profit company apply?
Yes. Domestic and foreign for-profit organizations may apply, but they must waive any fee or profit as a condition of eligibility.
What kind of implementer is the opportunity seeking?
The opportunity calls for an experienced implementer with strong technical and programmatic experience related to drone operations, training, safety and regulatory compliance, maintenance and logistics, and designing surveillance concepts of operation in challenging environments.
What types of planning elements are implied as important for proposals?
Given the description and single-award nature, proposals would generally need to demonstrate a clear implementation plan, credible staffing and technical approach, realistic timelines, and strong risk management for safe operations.
What is the operational environment emphasized in the opportunity?
The project is focused on Kenya's lake regions, where terrain and waterways can make traditional patrol methods difficult and where persistent observation is valuable for detecting illicit cross-border activity.
Is the project described as a short-term technology demo?
No. The intent is for the tethered drone program to become a durable operational capability rather than a short-term demonstration.
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