Body-Worn Cameras and Associated Hardware and Software

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions raised by vendors regarding the IDVRS May 2026 RFI.

• COMSEC Equipment/FIPS Standard: The government requires the industry standard NIST-approved FIPS 140-3. NSA Type 1 requires COMSEC custodianship.
• FIPS 140-3 Level: The government requires industry standard NIST-approved FIPS 140-3 levels 2 or 3. Level 4 is typically associated with high security modules, not commercial products.
• Data Transfer Estimate: The estimated data to be transferred will range from 200 TB to 850 TB, depending on various factors including the date of transfer.

This document clarifies technical requirements related to FIPS standards and provides an estimated data volume, which may influence vendor proposals and technical approaches.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Incident-Driven Video Recording Systems (IDVRS) program. The IDVRS program aims to procure hardware and software for various Incident-Driven Video Recording Systems, including Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs), docking stations, and a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) with cloud storage.

• Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs): Specific requirements for physical dimensions, weight, durability (6-foot drop survival), mounting systems, manual recording control, pre-event recording (buffering), battery life (minimum 10 hours), storage capacity (minimum 12 hours of footage), video resolution (minimum 720p HD), field of view (minimum 120 degrees), focus range, water resistance (IP67), environmental durability, audit logging, automatic upload to DEMS, advanced audio technology, and restrictions on data editing.

• Docking Station and Wireless Upload: Requirements for physical dimensions, automatic camera charging, automatic footage upload upon docking, and support for secure wireless uploads via Wi-Fi and LTE.

• Automatic Activation Sensor: System must support automatic BWC activation via external sensors, with configurable options for single or multiple BWC activation.

• Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS): Requirements for a cloud-based application with dedicated cloud storage, serving as the sole means for storing and sharing footage. DEMS must restrict downloads, allow video categorization and user-defined retention periods, support search functionality, accommodate new file formats, provide 24/7 help desk support, and include cold storage capability for long-term data.

• Interoperability: Camera and hardware must be compatible with DEMS meeting specified security requirements. Vendor must participate in integration testing.

• Data Security: DEMS must be FedRAMP authorized at a "moderate" level or higher. Applications must use PIV single sign-on, comply with NIST SP 800-53, DHS 4300A, and DHS Directive 140-01. Encryption standards (NSA Type 2/Type 1, FIPS 140-3 Level 4, AES-256) are required. DHS will own and control all data and intellectual property.

• Data Transition: Requirements for data extraction, transition testing, and provision of metadata from prior DEMS.

• Mobile Compatibility: Vendor must provide a mobile application or website for LEOs to view and assign retention categories to footage.

• Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA): Requirements for vendors to enter into ACAs if joint participation is needed.

• Ordering Requirements: Procedures for task order awards, order confirmation, equipment delivery timelines (within six weeks), and shipping/delivery notifications.

• Training Requirements: Vendor must provide comprehensive training on hardware and DEMS usage, including "train-the-trainer" options, manuals, and downloadable demonstration videos.

• Data Outputs: Specific data points to be provided by the vendor, including BWC ID, File ID, date/duration of video, size, categories, user information, and timestamps for various events (power on/off, recording start/end, upload start/end, undocking/redocking).

• BWC battery life: minimum 10 hours.

• BWC storage: minimum 12 hours of footage.

• BWC video resolution: minimum 720p HD.

• BWC field of view: minimum 120 degrees.

• BWC water resistance: equivalent to or higher than IP67.

• Docking station delivery: within six weeks of task order award.

• Download speed: 100 Mbps per user connection for raw data.

• Help desk support: 24/7/365.

• Data retrieval from cold storage: within 72 hours of request.

Not explicitly stated in this document, but data centers supporting DEMS must be located exclusively in the contiguous United States (CONUS).

• Compliance with NIST SP 800-53, DHS 4300A, and DHS Directive 140-01.
• FedRAMP authorization for DEMS at "moderate" level or higher.
• PIV single sign-on for all vendor applications.
• DHS ownership and control of all data and intellectual property.
• Vendor personnel requiring system access must obtain DHS Public Trust clearance.
• Vendor must provide documentation of supported integrations and describe the process for integrating with DHS law enforcement systems.
• Vendor must conduct data transition tests and provide metadata lists for prior DEMS.
• Vendor must provide a mobile application for footage management.
• Vendor must provide comprehensive training and technical documentation.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for market research purposes to assess industry capabilities related to Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) and associated hardware and software. It is not a solicitation for proposals or quotes and does not commit the government to any contract. The goal is to gather information on current industry capabilities for BWCs, vehicle-mounted cameras, vessel-mounted cameras, Digital Evidence Management Software (DEMS), cloud storage, and related technologies to support DHS operational needs.

The RFI requests detailed information on:

• Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) capabilities, IT requirements, and system assignment options.
• Vehicle-mounted and vessel-mounted cameras, including technical specifications, installation processes, and IT requirements.
• Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) capabilities, including requirements for incident reporting, records management, real-time streaming, video analytics, biometric recognition, and reporting.
• Mobile application capabilities.
• Interoperability of hardware and DEMS solutions with FedRAMP authorized systems.
• Data transition processes and associated labor fees.
• Management and logistics, including delivery timeframes and supply chain information.
• Personnel support services and associated cost estimates.
• Warranty coverage and hardware replacement procedures.
• Cyber/Information Security and Resiliency measures, including FedRAMP status and data security protocols.

This RFI does not commit the government to a contract. Any future solicitation will be posted on SAM.gov.

• Questions for the government are due by May 6, 2026.
• Government responses to questions will be provided by May 8, 2026.
• Responses to the RFI are due by May 13, 2026.
• Responses must be submitted via email to idvrs@cbp.dhs.gov with four separate attachments: Section A (Vendor Demographics & Past Performance), Section B (Responses to Questions), Section C (Feedback on Draft SOW), and a zip file of applicable attachments.
• Page limits apply to specific sections of the response.

Not applicable for this RFI. However, responses in Section A must include at least one past performance qualification in Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government.

• Information provided is for planning purposes and is subject to change.
• Submitted information will be held in confidence and may be shared with other DHS components.
• Vendors are advised to monitor SAM.gov for any future updates or solicitations.