SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- COHERENT X-RAY SCATTERING MARKET RESEARCH
- Notice Date
- 8/12/2008
- 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, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20528
- Solicitation Number
- DHSRFI081208
- Archive Date
- 9/27/2008
- Point of Contact
- Kristian Jovanovic,, Phone: 202-254-6071
- E-Mail Address
-
Kristian.Jovanovic@dhs.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- COHERENT X-RAY SCATTERING MARKET RESEARCH RESPONSES DUE BY: 5:00 PM, U.S. Eastern Standard Time, September 12, 2008. 1.0REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) 1.1Introduction The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS/S&T) Explosives Division (EXD) desires to promote further development of Coherent X-Ray Scattering (CXS) (or “Diffraction” (CXD)) technology as a reliable method for identifying and/or detecting explosives in airport baggage. CXS is a high-interest research project being coordinated with the Transportation Security Administration’s Chief Technology Office (TSA/CTO) and in conjunction with other Explosives Division R&D activities. This RFI is being issued to ascertain the level-of-interest and capabilities of private industry to develop prototype systems suitable for laboratory assessment by the Government. This RFI is issued solely for market research, planning and information purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder. 1.2RFI Objectives The Coherent X-ray Scattering (CXS) Project is a critical element in the broader Manhattan II and Explosives Research programs aimed at stimulating commercial industry development and integration of key enabling technologies, subsystems and advanced algorithms for application to next generation checked baggage systems that provide improved performance and affordability characteristics. S&T informal market research has indicated that industry contractors either have mature coherent x-ray scattering technologies that do not currently meet TSA needs or immature technologies that need further development as prototype systems before being sufficiently mature to conduct a meaningful laboratory assessment and data collection process. It is anticipated that approximately 1 – 2 years additional development and integration effort will be required by commercial industry contractors in order to deliver to the Government prototype systems suitable for laboratory assessment and testing for aviation passenger carry-on and checked baggage screening venues. Respondents to this RFI will be requested to provide sufficient information to determine pre qualification both as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), and as US companies or US-registered subsidiaries of foreign companies. Organizations or companies will be invited to submit descriptions of their offering in 10 pages or less. Please see Section 1.9 of this RFI for further information on the desired content of white papers submitted for consideration. Proprietary information, performance capabilities or future modification plans will be accepted and appropriately protected by the Government. Based on white paper submissions in response to this RFI, the Government may encourage interested companies to submit proposals to an S&T Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for development and delivery of two prototype systems and related data. The two prototype systems are primarily intended for laboratory assessment of detection and throughput capabilities, however, affordability will be a future consideration based on acquisition planning by TSA. CXS prototype system capabilities will be assessed for potential deployment as stand-alone EDS or as adjunct, secondary screening devices as further discussed in Section 1.3; both configurations are welcome for submission. 1.3Potential Concept of Operations (ConOps) The preliminary technical requirements identified in Section 1.6 of this RFI are intended to provide sufficient guidance for interested respondents to understand the potential future ConOps under which TSA may consider further field testing of any prototype systems resulting from this solicitation. CXS systems could be used to identify explosive materials in checked or carry-on baggage, including alarm resolution as a secondary EDS device. Industry sources are requested to identify in their white paper the envisioned ConOps for a future CXS system as either a stand-alone security screening system or deployed in conjunction with current or future EDS equipment. 1.4Technology Maturity S&T believes the current state of CXS detection technology indicates significant company-funded development and integration effort will be needed to achieve targeted Technology Readiness Levels. The maturity of any prototype system delivered to the Government for lab assessment should be consistent with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6 defined as follows: TRL 5: “Component validation in a relevant environment.” TRL 6: “System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in relevant environment.” Interested respondents should address in their white papers the magnitude and duration of additional company-funded development effort that will be needed to achieve the Government’s TRL objective for prototypical systems. For this RFI and any subsequent proposal, a “component” under the TRL 5 definition is considered to be the necessary subsystems to detect and identify threat materials, provide an operator interface and collect data in support of system performance assessment. 1.5Preliminary Program Structure This section of the RFI is intended to describe the preliminary program structure envisioned by the Government including ground rules, cost estimating assumptions and notional program milestones. Industry is expected to fund any necessary system development, integration and baseline testing in order to provide the following primary deliverables for any subsequent contract that may be awarded. •Two prototype systems for each selected contractor suitable for lab assessment delivered to Government with system description, technical data package and preliminary operations manual. •Industry develops and integrates key enabling technologies, subsystems and algorithms for two prototype systems (TRL 5-6 maturity) suitable for testing in lab environment to assess performance. •Industry conducts program review briefing, develops test plan and collects baseline performance data. Copy of information and data provided to Government. •The contract period of performance could be up to 2 years as determined by the Offeror. Estimated target cost for a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract would be approximately $2-3M for each selected contractor for procuring the contractor proposed system information, all hardware, and baseline performance data. A preliminary cost estimate is requested in any white paper responses to this RFI. •Government will purchase two hardware systems and associated technical information and data at fixed cost but will use phased payment of total contract cost based on series of payable milestones. •S&T does not intend to select the system design or contract for developmental engineering efforts. The Government would get a summary briefing of system capabilities and appropriate baseline testing data to demonstrate proper operation and readiness for delivery to the Government. •Contractor test data and performance projections would be provided to the Government to support Government lab assessment. The two purchased systems from any selected contractor would be delivered to Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) for lab assessment and potentially transferred to TSA's new T&E center (TSIF) for pilot testing. •The contractor would provide technical support for their systems using a follow-on contract option for a period of up to one year. Contractors will have access to some of the pilot testing data depending on classification but not the government assessment of performance. •Any future acquisition plans for a Coherent X-ray Scattering system would be determined by TSA. S&T and TSA would cooperatively collect operational data during any lab or pilot testing for assessment of the system to meet TRD performance objectives and to develop future acquisition plans. Based on industry white paper responses to this RFI, S&T is planning to use a BAA solicitation to award firm fixed price contracts to deliver two prototype systems suitable for laboratory assessment. Any contractor interested in submitting a proposal will also assume responsibility for final design, manufacture and integration to meet requirements that will be further defined in a Technical Requirements Document (TRD) issued at a future date. Any proposals submitted to the Government under the BAA would be required to discuss the scope and schedule plans for conducting a contractor program review, providing overall system description and technical data package, delivery of two systems for Government testing, and providing contractor technical support for approximately one year laboratory or pilot testing. S&T has developed the following “notional” model for payable milestones and is requesting contractor comments or recommendations in conjunction with any white papers or subsequent proposals. During execution of any awarded contracts, completion of the milestone and subsequent invoice payment would be based on S&T Program Manager approval or concurrence. A notional set of payable milestones (based on a notional 24 month total period of performance) are as follows: •Contractor Program Review – Estimated six (6) months after contract award (ACA); successful completion criteria is comprehensive briefing on system design and performance objectives; completion payment = 10% of contract total cost. •Contractor T&E Plan and Data License Complete – Estimated twelve (12) months ACA; successful completion criteria is agreed test plan to demonstrate system operation and performance and a Data Access License Agreement (if needed); completion payment = 10% of contract total cost. •Contractor First Prototype Power On – Estimated eighteen (18) months ACA; successful completion criteria is power on and successful operation of first prototype system; completion payment = 30% of contract total cost. •Contractor Second Prototype Power On and Commencement of Lab Testing – Estimated twenty two (22) months ACA; successful completion criteria is power on and successful operation of second prototype system and commencement of contractor conducted lab testing; completion payment = 30% of contract total cost. •Contractor Completion of Lab Testing – Estimated twenty four (24) months ACA; successful completion of agreed test plan and delivery of both prototype systems and data to the Government = 20% of contract total cost. •Priced option for contractor provided support to government for 1 year duration after delivery of first system = TBD cost. 1.6Preliminary Technical Requirements The preliminary technical requirements identified in this Section of the RFI are intended to provide sufficient guidance for interested respondents to understand the desired capabilities and performance of any prototype systems resulting from this solicitation. Prototype CXS systems and/or subsystems should demonstrate the following capabilities: •Detects and identifies a wide variety of military, commercial and homemade explosives (HME) that could be concealed in airport baggage. •Meets or exceeds current TSA EDS certification standards. •Discriminates between explosives and non-threat substances in airport baggage. •Identifies (preferred) specific explosive materials, or at a minimum, detects the presence of explosives. •False Alarm Rates (FAR) of less than five percent (5%). •Minimum system throughput (in a stand-alone commercial aviation Checked Baggage screening application) of 300 bags per hour (bph) and a mean process time of less than ten (10) seconds per bag. •Compatible with current TSA checked baggage x-ray system size and weight constraints. •Compliant with all TSA system safety specifications for explosives detection systems. Safety compliance will be verified by an OSHA-accredited 3rd party laboratory. •Provides a fully-specified and documented data retrieval capability that enables download of raw and reconstructed image data and system configuration information from the system. This interface must also provide structured access to any on-board store of this type of data. A more extensive TRD will be developed in coordination with TSA. In addition to the above desired capabilities, it is anticipated that the TRD will describe explosive materials to be identified and/or detected, minimum detection rates, acceptable false alarm rates, potential deployment ConOps, and operator interfaces. The TRD will be "Sensitive Security Information (SSI),” sensitive but unclassified, and will be provided separately for interested companies submitting proposals to the BAA. United States citizenship is a prerequisite to receiving SSI. Prior to receiving a copy of the TRD or laboratory assessment data, individuals must submit a signed copy of the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that accompanies this RFI. IMPORTANT NOTE: Only companies with a bona fide “need to know” (i.e. original equipment manufacturing (OEM) companies that develop and produce explosive detection systems or subsystems) will be eligible to receive a copy of the SSI TRD. Retailers, dealers or other interested parties are not eligible to receive the TRD. 1.7Data Rights and Image Format Standards Data rights requirements for the CXS project will be consistent with other TSA data rights policies and standard procedures for new detection technologies and prototype screening systems. S&T desires to maintain all rights to the raw image data produced by the prototype system, including all related data required to convert raw data into reconstructed images. This data shall be provided to S&T and/or TSA upon request, along with the means and methods to reconstruct and manipulate the images. Performance under any contract awarded for development and testing of a prototype system will involve access to sensitive security information (SSI) and/or classified information up to the level of CONFIDENTIAL. The contractor shall ensure that all appropriate security and protection actions are taken. A DD-254 will be included in the contract at time of award. Data collected pursuant to any subsequent contract and other relevant Government-sponsored activities, will be Government property. Specifically, the Government will have unlimited rights to all raw and reconstructed image data and hardware configuration information to allow image reconstruction. Government data rights will include the right to use, reproduce, and distribute such data to third party software algorithm developers. The Government will accept reasonable protections regarding transfer of data to third parties. 1.8Laboratory Assessment Data and Results Laboratory assessment data and results have been determined to be "Sensitive Security Information (SSI)" and may be classified in accordance with appropriate Government Security Classification Guidance documents. United States citizenship is a prerequisite to receiving SSI. Companies will be given access to data collected during their system’s laboratory assessment, but not the results of the Government’s assessment of their system. Prior to receiving a copy of the TRD or laboratory assessment data, individuals must submit a signed copy of the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that accompanies this RFI. The Government will provide a technical briefing to contractors at the conclusion of laboratory assessment. 1.9Information Requested At a minimum, white papers submitted in response to this RFI should address each of the following topics: •Company technical capabilities and approach. This information should be sufficient to allow the Government to make a well-informed decision regarding the company’s potential to deliver a TRL 5-6 system for laboratory assessment in 12-24 months. •An assessment of the current state of maturity of the company’s CXS system, laboratory-type system, or subsystem(s) in accordance with the S&T-provided TRL definitions. •An assessment of the scope and duration of additional engineering or technology development needed to produce a laboratory assessment-ready CXS system. •The anticipated contract period of performance and preliminary cost estimate for a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for procuring the contractor proposed system information, all hardware, and baseline performance data. •An assessment of the future prototype system’s anticipated detection, throughput and FAR performance, either as a stand-alone EDS or as an adjunct, secondary screening device. •A description of alternative prototypical systems that S&T or TSA should consider purchasing for laboratory assessment, including a description of any system documentation and operator manuals needed for laboratory assessment. •A description and supporting documentation of any company-conducted or company-sponsored test results that summarize testing processes, detection performance, false alarm rates and threat identification capabilities. •A declaration of any intellectual property associated with the described CXS technology. •A brief history of related U.S. Government-funded work. 2.0RESPONDING TO THIS RFI 2.1General Guidelines •White papers should be no more than TEN (10) pages in length including any and all appendices and attachments. •Submissions must be received no later than 5:00 PM, U.S. Eastern Standard Time, September 12, 2008. •Any company proprietary information, performance capabilities and/or future modification plans should be clearly identified and marked. •Companies are solely responsible for any and all expenses incurred pursuant to responding to this RFI. •Unsolicited proposals in response to this RFI will not be considered. 2.2Content of Submissions One electronic submission in machine-readable format (typically PDF, ASCII, MS Word, or WordPerfect format) should be sent electronically to the DHS S&T Contract Specialist: Kristian Jovanovic Contract Specialist Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Office of Procurement Operations Science and Technology (S&T) Acquisition Division Phone: 202-254-6071 Kristian.Jovanovic@dhs.gov Submissions should include: •A one page cover letter that provides a brief summary of the response and indicating if supporting documentation is included. •A white paper that addresses all areas of information requested by this RFI. 2.3Who May Respond? White paper responses are welcome from any CXS technology OEM company with a system or system components that can achieve, within the approximate 24-month time frame, TRL 5 or 6 for Government laboratory assessment in accordance with the preliminary technical requirements. Submissions from retailers, dealers or other interested parties will be rejected. 2.4Company Contact Information RFI respondents shall designate a single point of contact for receipt of all information pursuant to this RFI. 2.5Copyrighted Material Responses to the RFI will not be returned. If proprietary information is included in the response to this RFI, be aware that all materials may be used to develop Government documentation. 2.6Requests for Additional Information Questions and requests for additional information should be sent to the COTR. 2.7Laboratory Assessment Location Postal Code:Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) WM J. Hughes Technical Center Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405 Country:United States
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