SOURCES SOUGHT
63 -- Next Generation Non-Intrusive Technologies for Enhanced Screening and Inspection
- Notice Date
- 4/21/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, Washington, District of Columbia, 20528
- ZIP Code
- 20528
- Solicitation Number
- RFI-08-00002
- Point of Contact
- Brenda D Brady,, Phone: 202-254-6771
- E-Mail Address
-
brenda.brady@dhs.gov
- Description
- The Borders and Maritime Security Division (BMD) of the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) issues this Request for Information (RFI) regarding next generation non-intrusive inspection (NII) technologies for enhanced screening and inspection by the Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Background: Customs & Border Protection’s mission is to secure U.S. ports of entry from people and goods that are prohibited or which threaten U.S. citizens, infrastructure, resources and food supply, while efficiently facilitating legitimate trade and travel. TSA’s mission is to protect the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement of people and commerce. Both CBP and TSA have a need to improve technologies currently being deployed for incoming cargo conveyance inspection and air cargo shipment inspection. Current NII technologies employed by CBP and TSA primarily consist of X-Ray and Gamma-Ray systems whose mission is to detect “traditional” contraband (i.e. drugs, currency, guns and high explosives) that may be illicitly smuggled in cargo containers and air shipping containers. The ultimate goal of this effort is to provide CBP and TSA with improved technology which will result in enhanced screening and examination NII system which will detect WMD, contraband, explosives, hidden compartments or stowaways with improved penetration, resolution, contrast sensitivity and throughput. Objective: For a research and development project that will be starting in FY 09, DHS S&T is seeking technology improvements in existing non-intrusive inspection (NII), x-ray and Gamma, systems. By investigating state-of-the-art technologies currently being developed, this RFI is intended to support CBP’s and TSA’s need for a next generation, enhanced screening and examination, non-intrusive inspection system. The key objective of this project is to advance research and development to: •Enhance existing x-ray and Gamma NII systems for cargo security improvements in container scanning for both high density and low density cargoes •Improvements in x-ray and Gamma detectors, detector materials, methods of enhancing x-ray or Gamma sources, improved imaging tools •Improve penetration, resolution, throughput and contrast sensitivity of NII systems for scanning both high-density and low-density cargo •Improvements in operational and maintenance costs, reliability, and increased sustainability of scanning equipment in extreme weather conditions and all port environments •Reduction in weight of mobile NII systems •Increased automation reducing operator workload leading ultimately to reductions in manpower required •Minimize health and safety concerns of users and personnel (terminal employees, truck drivers, etc.) in the immediate area Operational Concepts: Ultimately, this project is intended to address the following CBP and TSA key security capabilities: •Enhanced screening and examination of cargo by NII methods for WMD, contraband, hidden compartments or stowaway with improved resolution and throughput advanced non-intrusive inspection methods. •Enhanced screening and examination of air cargo by advanced non-intrusive methods which will perform neutral to commodity type; to address inspection of air cargo container Unit Load Devices (ULD), bulk, and break bulk configurations. •Enhanced flexibility for NII systems to include fixed, mobile, and pallet screening devices Notional Technical Objectives for a Next Generation Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) System for Enhanced Screening and Inspection Describe your technology improvements in the following areas based on the following technical objectives: (1)Improvements in Penetration (2)Improvements in Resolution (3)Improvements in Throughput (4)Improvements in Contrast Sensitivity (5)Improvements in Reliability (6)Improvements in Image Quality (7)Reduction in Operators Required (8) Improvements in Mobile System Weights (9) Improvements in Sustainability (10) Improvements in Health and Safety RFI Submission Requirements: Please include the following information in you submission: (1) Technical Approach: Describe your research and development approach to radiography associated with the automated inspection of vehicles, cargo, and cargo containers. Include relevant information on system concepts for detection of contraband, WMD threat materials, stowaways and hidden compartments, as well as potential shielded nuclear materials. In particular, please describe selection of beam production technologies and energies, selection of detector materials and detection geometry, image processing techniques, and tools for image analysis and interpretation. Identify specific areas and descriptions of improvements in the technology that will be made and the approach used to scan both high- and low-density cargoes. (2) System Configuration: Please describe the relative merit of deploying your concepts in a fixed or mobile configuration with regard to penetration, throughput, spatial resolution, safety, footprint requirements and configuration, staffing, reliability, system infrastructure requirements, power requirements, life cycle cost and other factors. (3) Price: Provide rough order magnitude (ROM) estimated program cost estimates by fiscal year. Please address any unknown manufacturing and facilitization issues and costs. Please also address intellectual property rights and export restrictions. Cost calculations should be based upon a four year development plan broadly outlined below: • Program Initiation, Concept Studies and Analysis of Alternatives – (1 Year) • Concept Selection and Initiate System Design - (1 Year) • System Prototype Fabrication, Test and Demonstrations – (2 Years) (4) Facilities and Staff: Describe current facilities and staff for producing advanced radiography systems for homeland security applications. (5) Experience: Describe past experience with regard to the research and development of scanning systems. (6) Business Type: Identify your business type: large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged, HUB-Zone small, woman-owned small, very small, veteran-owned small, service-disabled veteran-owned small as based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 335999, All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing. The term Small Business Concern means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR Part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, with no more than 500 employees. Responders are cautioned; however, that this is a general description only; additional standards and conditions apply. Refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 19), at www.arnet.gov, for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. Submission Guidelines: Required RFI sections: (1)Cover page that includes company name, complete mailing address, and web page (2)Contact information (name/title/telephone#/fax#/email address) for the following company representatives: a.Technical Representative b.Business Representative c.Contract Representative (3)Technical Approach and System Configuration (4)High level Program Schedule (5)ROM Cost Estimate (6)Facilities and Staff, Experience and Business Type (7)Additional Information (as needed) All responses (one response per company) are to be provided on company letterhead and in electronic format utilizing PDF. The RFI is limited to eleven (11) pages total - one page for the contact information and company representatives and ten pages for sections (3)-(7). All data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as business confidential or proprietary will be fully protected from release outside the government. Responses should be marked identifying proprietary areas or specific proprietary technology. General proprietary markings are not acceptable. Responses should be no longer than eleven pages. Responses must be submitted via the web portal at hsarpabaa.com and in Adobe PDF format. Contacts must be made by email only. All packages submitted electronically or by electronic media shall be free of any computer virus. If a virus is found, the package will be destroyed and a replacement will be requested, which must be provided within three days after notification. All material provided is treated as confidential and company proprietary that will be reviewed by government employees and representatives only. This RFI is for planning purposes, and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will follow. Parties responding to this RFI are responsible for all costs associated with preparation of a response. THIS RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF CONDUCTING MARKET RESEARCH AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ANY CURRENT OR FUTURE COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. CAPABILITY STATEMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL TO MS. BRENDA BRADY, CONTRACTING OFFICER, AT Brenda.Brady@dhs.gov
- Web Link
-
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=c77b5f0a1e08845ea116aa1bee8a5e59&tab=core&_cview=1)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations, 245 Murray Lane, Building 410, Washington, District of Columbia, 20528, United States
- Zip Code: 20528
- Zip Code: 20528
- Record
- SN01558337-W 20080423/080421215921-c77b5f0a1e08845ea116aa1bee8a5e59 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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