Last Thursday, one week after President Trump threatened to shut down the government over borderwall funding, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the names of four contractors that have been selected to construct concrete borderwall prototypes for a U.S.–Mexico borderwall. The companies are Montgomery, Ala.–based Caddell Construction Co.; Tempe, Ariz.–based Fisher Sand & Gravel Co./DBA Fisher Industries; Houston-based Sterling Construction Co.; and Philadelphia, Miss.–based W. G. Yates & Sons Construction Co.
According to CBP acting deputy commissioner Ronald Vitiello, who held a press conference last week, the companies will complete four to eight prototypes at 30 feet long, and between 18 and 30 feet tall within 30 days of an issuance to proceed with construction. The CBP anticipates construction to take place in the fall. Each prototype is expected to cost between $400,000 and $500,000 and will be constructed in the San Diego area with the goals of "[deterring] illegal crossings in the area in which they are constructed ... [and complementing] the wall and barrier designs [CBP has] used along the border over the last several years."
The CBP will make final determinations for contracts on the "other materials" prototype RFP this week.
