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UPDATE: ICE says it bought four robot dogs for $1.3 million in part for cross-border tunnel operations. It also says the robots will help tactical teams, listen for movement inside buildings, and look on top of closets and bunk beds.

projectsaltbox.comICE buys $1.3 million in robot dogs from Connecticut companyThe agency bought the robots without seeking competing bids, and chose a version built to detect chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards.

As contract nerds, this is wild. ICE posted a market research notice on Aug. 28, and two companies responded. ICE ruled out one offering a standard Boston Dynamics Spot, never opened the order to bidding, and gave RADeCO a sole-source award on Sept. 25.

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ICE says only RADeCO could supply its robot dogs. But the arm, camera and radios on ICE's list match what Boston Dynamics sells in its own public safety kit. RADeCO's one unique product, its detection software, is listed as optional.