99 -- BIOLOGICAL COUNTERPROLIFERATION TECHNOLOGY

Notice Date

June 12, 2001

Contracting Office

Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 6801 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, VA 22310-3398

ZIP Code

22310-3398

Solicitation Number

N/A

Response Due

July 31, 2001

Point of Contact

Judy Rodgers/Contract Specialist/703 325-1182; Donald Shires/Contracting Officer/703 325-6684

Description

This is a Sources Sought Synopsis. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response. This Sources Sought Synopsis is published for market research purposes only, and in no way obligates the Government in an award of any contract. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking commercial technology solutions to requirements associated with response to the threat of proliferation of biological weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This synopsis seeks to identify qualified sources for the following requirements: 1. Biological Agent Sample Collection. Methods and containers for the safe transport of samples with minimal sample degradation over an extended period of time are needed. Containers must be lightweight, man portable, rugged and able to withstand temperature extremes while maintaining sample integrity. New sampling devices and the means to manipulate and safely transport potentially contaminated samples/materials with minimal degradation of sample integrity will enable later forensic analysis of biomaterials for attribution. Material incompatibilities, limits of use and appropriate instructions for use are required. 2. Biological Agent Detection. State of the art detection of pathogens in a variety of backgrounds including air, water and surface materials is solicited. Detection may be accomplished through fieldable point or standoff detectors. An identification step may be an integral part of this system, but is not required. Detectors that can function using high and low concentrations of biological materials in the presence of metals, organics, and other potential interferents are desirable. Sample preparation, assay and analysis should be included in a single prototypical instrument. False negative rates must be minimized. Detection should be rapid, reliable and easy to use. Instruments should be man portable, ruggedized, lightweight and have low power requirements. Responses should also address the capability to provide hands-on training and appropriate manuals for system operation. 3. Biological Agent Identification. Identification of several biological agents simultaneously is desired. Other parameters and criteria for identifiers are the same as those described for detectors. Again, instrumentation should include sample preparation, assay and analysis in a single unit and function effectively in the presence of interferents. Instruments should be man portable, ruggedized, lightweight and have low power requirements. Responses should also address capability to provide hands-on training and appropriate manuals for systems operations. 4. Individual Protection. Individual biological protection may include new clothing materials, prophylaxes, masks, respiratory systems, cooling suits, isolation systems, etc. 5. Decontamination. Lightweight, rapid biological decontamination methods for personnel, equipment and vehicles are examples of decontamination items that are desired. 6. Rapid Destruction of Biological Materials. Rapid destruction methods that either neutralize microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, toxins, fungi and dormant forms of bacteria and fungi) or render them useless (i.e., can no longer be used in a specific product formulation) are of interest. Methods should be able to destroy even the most concentrated forms of biological materials, either in wet or dry form, in the presence and absence of contaminating organic species. All forms of deactivation will be considered. Proposed evaluation criteria for this requirement are: a) efficiency measured in logs of neutralization or the degree of irreversibility for technologies that render useless; b) ease of use. Minimal preparation time. Minimal exposure of user to biological material. Autonomous use is preferred. Ease of handling, transportation and storage. c) Speed of inactivation (faster is better). d) Ratio of inactivating agent equipment to biological mass (i.e. 1 mass of inactivating agent/equipment services the greatest mass of biological. e) Stability and shelf life (greater stability and longer shelf life is better), and; f) Destruction method is least hazardous to user. 7. Facility Decommissioning. Buildings and various pieces of equipment need to be decommissioned. Rapid methods which render equipment and infrastructure unusable and minimize potential contamination of the surrounding environs are desired. Because these buildings and equipment will no longer be used, destruction methods that are easy to use and user friendly are desired. Sources having the capability to provide any or all of these requirements are invited to submit white papers (2 pages maximum). Responses addressing more than one of the seven requirements are limited to 2 pages per requirement. Responses should include a cost estimate ROM (rough order of magnitude) and the capability to participate in a concept demonstration by March 03. Documents shall be provided in both hard copy and electronic form (Microsoft WORD, EXCEL, or PowerPoint) to the contract specialist at DTRA, Attn: AMS/Judy Rodgers, 6801 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22310-3398 and e:mail: judy.rodgers@dtra.mil no later than 31 July 2001. Company information should include qualifications and experience in work of this nature, point of contact, business size and disadvantaged, 8(a) or HUBZone. Any information submitted in response to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this sources sought.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010614/99SOL006.HTM (W-163 SN50O727)