Immigration & Naturalization Service, Procurement Division, 425 I St., NW, Room 2208, Washington, DC 20536

59 -- TAMPER RESISTANCE TAGS FOR THE SAN CLEMENTE CHECKPOINT PAL SOL BOR-9-00130 DUE 092499 POC Jan K. Wisor (202) 305-2130 (i)This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation;quotations are being requestd and a written solicitation will not be issued.(ii)Solicitation BOR-9-00130 will be issued as a RFQ per FAR Part 13. (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC 97-06.(iv) This is a small business set-aside.The applicable SIC code is 3699, 750 employees.(v) CLINS are: Phase I: 0001 Tags w/test report, 100 ea, CLIN 0002 Tag Activation Programmer, 1 ea, CLIN 003 Tag Re-initialization Programmer, 1 ea, CLIN 0004, Tag Re-attachment adhesive pkgs, 200 ea,Phase II: CLIN 0005 Tags, 9000 ea. Order will be issued as a firm fixed price.(vi)Description -- Background:The Tamper Resistance Tags for the PAL are to provide a reliable and secure way to identify vehicles, such that if the tag is removed from a vehicle, it will no longer function, even when re-attached to another vehicle with new adhesive.Objective:There are three components used in the PAL system: Commuter Lane Readers; Tag Activation Programmer; and Tag Re-Initialization Programmer. The Commuter Lane Readers are installed in a specially marked and delineated freeway lane to read tags on vehicles traveling at speeds up to 75 miles per hour. Currently, a Title 21, Amtech IT 2020 reader is used, however, another Title 21 Compliant reader could also be used for this tag reading function. The contractor will be responsible for providing the Tag Activation Programmer and Tag Re-Initialization Programmer for this procurement.Read-write tags are required for this procurement that will be compatible with toll collection across the State of California.The tags being supplied for this procurement shall be compatible with the "Caltrans Compatibility Specifications for Automatic Vehicle Identification Equipment: Title 21, Chapter 16, Articles 1 through 4 of the California Code of Regulations. This means that the tags shall be readable by any reader compatible with this Title 21 specification, with no loss of functionality; that is when a tag's tamper-detection circuitry is triggered to prevent a tag response, no Title 21 reader will be able to read the tag.3. Specific Tasks: 3.1 Tag Activation Programmer -- A Tag Activation Programmer shall be supplied that activates a tag.The Tag Activation Programmer shall not re-initialize tags. The Tag Activation Programmer shall read a tag, displaying facility code plus tag serial number feedback to show that the tag is operational. Activation shall only be performed on one tag per operator request, with the power levels and programmer directivity sufficient to only interrogate the desired tag when it is 2 feet away, excluding all other tags more than 10 feet away. 3.1.2 Tag Activation Programmer Security -- The Tag Activation Programmer(s) to be supplied under this procurement shall have a security password method to prevent unauthorized use.The Tag Activation Programmer shall also have special programming capabilities, not normally accessible in other supplied programmers, to other customers, to properly activate a tag.Furthermore, the Tag activation process can only be applied to tags that have been re-initialized, or newly received from factory production.Tags that are unresponsive following removal and triggering of the tamper detection circuit shall not become operational with the tag activation programmer. 3.1.2 Tag Programming -- The tag (transponder) identification number of 32 bits total is broken down into two fields, the 22 bit Facility code, and the 10 bit tag internal ID (for a block of 1024 tags per unique facility code).3.1.2.1 -- Facility Code The Agency Facility Codes to be used for tag programming at the factory will be assigned upon award of contract by the technical point of contact. 3.1.2.2 -- Tag Serial Number Each unique facility code will have up to 1024 tags with uniquetag serial numbers, starting at 0 and proceeding through 1023. The contractor shall insure that no serial numbers are skipped. The contractor shall insure that no duplicate tag serial numbers are provided. 3.1.3 Tag Case, Mounting Method and Location -- Interior windshield mounting of tags is required, along with the tamper detection capability described in the following section. These tags shall be dustproof, suitable for vehicle interiors.Tags shall be mounted on the interior upper-center of a windshield, of any vehicle that is legal for sale in the State of California. The vendor shall specify the recommended mounting position such that it is both a legal position behind the rear view mirror, and provides for reliable operation as described in this specification.The mounting method to be used is a one-time use adhesive that may be scraped off following tag removal. The adhesive chosen shall be suitable to the use in vehicles, where the vehicle is driving over rough roads. The adhesive shall be rated for a lifetime of use equal to the battery life. 3.1.4 Tamper Detection -- The tags shall contain a temper detection feature that prevents their response to lane reader interrogations following removal from the windshield. The tamper detection functionality shall include a light-sensing device, combined with a light-blocking shield. The removal of a tag from the windshield shall cause the shield to be damaged, exposing the light-sensing device to the ambient light. 3.1.4.1 Arming the Tamper Detection during Mounting The tag tamper detection circuit is armed in a two step process: 1) Properly mounting the tag with a shield over light sensing port; and 2) Sending an activation command to the tag with the tag activation programmer. 1) The mounting process shall include attachment of the shield with such means that will insure the shield is damaged when the tag is removed. If any adhesive is used between the shield and tag,it shall have less tensile strength than the shield to windshield adhesive. The main tag attachment adhesive shall, through greater area and tensile strength,have significantly more tensile strength than the shield to tag adhesive The tag mounting shall be by high bond double sided tape or foam, suitable forcenter of windshield curvature. No part of the shield shall extend within inch or beyond the footprint of the tag, in order to prevent easy grasping of the shield during removal. 2) The tag shall be activated with the tag activation programmer following proper tag mounting. As part of this activation, the tag facility code and tag serial number shall be provided in a subsequent read operation. If the shield has been improperly mounted, and either with ambient light or a spotlight, the tag shall indicate to the tag activation programmer, upon attempted re-reading the tag, that the tamper detection circuit has been triggered. This indication can be simply the lack of response, or an easily detected displayed code and alarm sound. 3.1.5 Removal Detection -- Upon removing the tag, or prying it up, the shield shall disconnect from the tag, and the tag shall latch into a state of not responding to reader interrogation. Even if the shield is replaced on the tag tamper detector, the tag shall not respond 3.1.6 Tag Power Source & Operating Life -- Internal batteries shall be used in the tag, with a sufficient operating life to power the tag through at least 3 years of operation, with at least 10 cycles of activation, removal detection, and re-initialization. Better value will be attributed to products with longer operating life. Operating life of the tag shall include daily use at the tag for passage of at least 4 times where the tag is read by a total of 12 readers per day, each passage in a read zone for 1 second. 3.1.7 Tag Dimensions and Appearance Tag -dimensions shall be less than 5 inches wide, 3.5 inches high and 1 inch thick. Furthermore, both in dimensions and in appearance, including color, the tags shall be identical to other car interior Title 21 tags being used or already procured in California for toll collection. 3.1.7.1 Tag Labels -- The tag will include a label, either printed or etched with the tag serial number, including facility code. This label/etching shall be designed to last the operational life of the tag in its intended use. A printed barcode label shall be included to assist in initial tag distribution, have a minimum one-year lifetime, and shall have the same facility code and serial number. 3.2 Tag Re-Initialization Programmer -- The contractor shall provide Tag Re-Initialization Programmers that re-initializes a tag following removal (and triggering of the tamper detection circuitry) of the tag from a windshield. The Tag Re-Initialization Programmer shall leave the tag un-activated, and shall display the facility code and tag serial number. The re-initialization programmer shall report tamper detection status, with alarming for a tag that does not indicate removal. The re-initialization programmer shall be designed to only act upon one tag per request. 3.2.1 Tag Re-Initialization Programmer Security -- The Tag Re-Initialization Programmer to be supplied under this procurement,shall have a security password and unique hardware check method (such as a parallel port ID key) to prevent unauthorized use. In addition, the Tag Re-Initialization Programmer shall have special programming capabilities, not normally accessible in other supplied programmers, to properly re-initialize tags. The Tag Re-Initialization Programmer shall provide a way to capture a file with a list of tags that have been re-initialized for security control. 3.2.2 Reusability via Re-initializing the Tamper Detection Circuit -- The tag mounting tape shall be removed and replaced as part of the tag re-initialization process. This removal and replacement shall take no more than 1 minute per tag by a trained person.4. Deliverables: Tags -- The contractor shall deliver the tags as follows: The tag order is broken down into two phases.Phase One -- the contractor shall supply 100 tags, with serial numbers 0 through 99 of the first facility code to be used for this procurement (as defined in the notice to proceed). As part of the tag supply, tag mounting instructions shall be supplied. Phase Two -- The Production tag supply shall start at tag numbered 100 and continue through 1023 for the first facility code to be specified at award of the contract. The total number of production tags to be delivered under phase two for this order is 9,650. Tags shall be delivered in RF shielded box or bags to insure no reading or activation.Tag Activation Programmer One (1) shall be supplied.The tag activation programmer will be complete, ready for use, including portable power source, computer (if needed), antenna, etc., except for passwords.The passwords shall be transmitted to the technical point of contact separately by certified mail.Tag Re-Initialization Programmer -One (1) shall be supplied.The tag re-initialization programmer shall be complete and ready for use including computer & secure antenna, except for passwords and identification hardware key.The passwords and hardware key shall be transmitted to the technical representative separately by certified mail.Tag re-attachment adhesive packages of die-cut or pre-cut strips of tag attachment tape and shields shall be supplied.Each pkg shall have enough adhesive to attach 2 tags, plus a cleaning towellete.Pkgs shall be packed into bags of 50 pkgs.The number of bags of 50 pkgs each for this procurement is 200. Performance Specifications and Reporting for Phase I Tags-The vendor shall demonstrate performance specifications are met by the independent testing.A total of 5 tags randomly selected from the phase one production run shall be subjected to each test 10 times. Test areas may be combined into a series of test steps, as long as tag functionality (or required lack of response) is verified after each test step. No more than 1 failure (no matter which tag) shall be allowed for each separate section of functionality in this performance specification.If a tag completely fails, another tag may be substituted,but its testing must start over and be subjected to all 10 tests.No more than two complete tag failures shall be allowed in the testing.All materials and tags used or consumed in the testing shall be above and beyond the Phase I quantities.The vendor shall retain all tested tags for at least one year following the testing conclusion.The report shall document the success or failure of each test step, including description of each tag failure and the analysis of what caused the failure. Corrective actions necessary shall be detailed, and the contracting officer shall decide if repeat testing is necessary. Functionality: Readable only after mounting and activation programming. The tag shall only respond to lane reader interrogations following factory or field re-initialization, proper tag mounting and activation. A special series of 10 re-initializations for each of the 5 tags, improper mountings (leaving the shield off) and attempted activation's shall be performed to demonstrate reliable detection. A SIRIT reader shall use two sample tags to demonstrate activated tag reading. Reliable operation when mounted and activated properly. The tags shall reliably operate when mounted and activated properly (including removal and re-initialization).This shall be demonstrated in testing of 5 tags each 10 times. Ceases to be read when removed. The mounting process shall insure that tags do not respond following removal, either full or partial as described below. Not readable until reinitialized. A removed tag shall not be readable by the lane reader or successfully activated until after re-initialization Reliability-Limited False Removal Detection -- The tags as a group shall have no more than 1 false alarm (except for those tags that completely fail) during all of the testing. This means that a properly mounted and activated tag shall not indicate tampering before the tampering or removal is attempted. The environmental testing shall also be included during this aspect of testing.Accurate Detection and Latching of removal -- In light levels of at least 7 foot-candles, where the shield is lifted at least inch high by inch wide to the light sensing hole, removal should be detected, as a goal. The lifting for even 0.25-second at this opening size and light level shall cause detection of removal, and prevent tag response to the lane reader. This section of the specification is a goal, proposers should detail their best effort specifications of light level, opening size, and time exposed. The detection of removal shall not be lost through environmental testing until the tag is re-initialized.Difficult to Spoof-The spoofing of the tamper detection shall be difficult for even someone with this specification or the installation instructions.Environmentally Reliable in operation -The tag shall continue to operate (both to be read by the lane reader, and to detect tampering) during and following the following conditions that shall be included in testing:Heat -- Operation -- -4 deg.F to + 167 deg. (-20 deg C to + 75 deg C). Storage temperatures shall be consistent with vehicle interior temperatures possible statewide in California 4.6.4.2 RF levels -- strong fields; Cellular telephones -- 3 watt mobile antennas 2 foot away, or handheld cellphones 1 foot away; PCS handheld telephone 1 ft away.Lane Reader (or programmer) operating at zero attenuation, into a 10 db gain Yagi antenna, 1 ft away; 5 watt handheld VHF, UHF or 800 Mhz radio operating 2 ft away from the tag.Light Levels -- Following proper attachment, and normal vehicle driving over rough roads, with the tag still attached to the windshield, the tag tamper detection circuit shall not be triggered by sunshine, even when reflected onto the tag. Nor shall the tamper detection circuit respond to a Million Candlepower spotlight two feet or more away from any part of the tag. Reliable re-initializing -- Following removal from a windshield, adhesive scraping/removal and reapplication, the tag shall be reliably re-initialized. The test sample shall be 5 tags, each re-initialized and reapplied 10 times. No more than one failure to re-initialize or reactivate the tags shall be allowed.(vii) Delivery CLIN 0001, 0002,0003,0004 -- 18 weeks after receipt of order, CLIN 0005 -- the entire qty due 30 days after INS approval of CLIN 0001.Should the Phase I units fail to perform as required, Contractor shall resubmit the units for approval (100ea), the resubmission shall not be counted against the total units required. Deliver all quantities & report to:San Diego Sector Border Patrol Head Quarters,2411 Boswell Road, Chula Vista CA 91914-3519,Attn: Louis Amavizca.The government will not consider quotes from offerors who cannot make elivery of the items as stated above.(viii)FAR 52.212-1"Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items is incorporated by reference w/the following addenda:offerors shall submit past performance information from 3 recent contracts for the same/similar services. (ix) FAR 52.212-2 "Evaluation-Commercial Items" applies to this procurement. This is a best value,past performance and price will be considered equally.(x)Offerors shall include a completed copy of provison FAR 52.212-3 "Offeror Reps and Certs-Commercial Items with their quote.(xi) FAR Clause 52.212-4, "Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items" and (xii)FAR Clause 52.212-5 "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items" apply to this acquisition. No additional FAR clauses apply. (xiii and xiv- Not Applicable)(xv) Numbered Note 1 applies. ((xvi)quotes are due no later than 9:00AM Eastern Standard Time, 09/24/99. Quotes should be clearly marked as follows: INS,Attn:Jan Wisor, Room 2208, Procurement Division, 425 I St, NW, Washington D.C 20536. FAXED QUOTES WILL BE ACCEPTED: fax to Jan Wisor at (202) 514-3353. (xvii) for information, fax questions to J. Wisor. Interested parties are encouraged to review the CBD for changes to the solicitation in the interim time until award of this procurement. Posted 09/20/99 (W-SN382056). (0263)

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