A -- SCREENING SYSTEM TO DETECT CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL AGENTS INSIDE SEALED CONTAINERS

Notice Date

September 18, 2001

Contracting Office

Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, 17320 Dahlgren Road, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5100

ZIP Code

22448-5100

Solicitation Number

N00178-01-Q-3040

Response Due

February 1, 2002

Point of Contact

sd13 (540) 653-7765

E-Mail Address

Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (sd13@nswc.navy.mil)

Description

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) is soliciting white papers for point-of-entry screening systems, or concepts which further the development of systems or elements of systems, to detect chemical and biological warfare agents (CWA/BWA) hidden in sealed containers. US facilities and platforms, state-side and abroad, are potential targets of terrorist attack using CWA/BWA. CWA/BWA, in a sealed container, could be concealed on a person, or within hand-carried articles, such as briefcases and bags. It could be transferred into a facility through commercial mail or shipping channels, concealed within a shipping package and its other contents. The required screening system will quickly and accurately inspect personnel, hand carried articles, and packages to detect CWA/BWAs prior to deployment, at the entry points to facilities and platforms, and without unduly interfering with normal business processes. It is envisioned that the screening system would work in a manner similar to airport security systems which routinely screen passengers and luggage for illegal weapons, drugs, or other contraband. It is anticipated that the Government will request a comprehensive technical and cost proposal for the most promising approach/concept identified by one or more white papers. The most promising proposal(s) may result in award of a contract for (1) a fixed-price feasibility study with (2) an option for a Not-to-Exceed (NTE) cost-plus-fixed-fee prototype development and demonstration effort. An invitation to submit a proposal does not assure subsequent award for either the feasibility study or the option. The feasibility study will be six months in duration. The study shall refine and develop the proposed design concept for the CWA/BWA screening system and estimate the efficiency of the screening system CWA/BWA identification. The study shall characterize the sensitivity, false alarm rate/frequency, and robustness of the CWA/BWA identification and identify and reduce areas of risk for future development. The results of the feasibility study shall provide an estimate of system size, weight, cost, risk, and a preliminary concept of operations. An outline plan and schedule shall be developed for the prototype development and demonstration effort, which may follow. At the conclusion of the feasibility study, the Government may request a full technical and cost proposal (within the NTE amount originally proposed) for the option for prototype development and demonstration effort. (Proposal preparation costs will not be charged to the Government.) A "down selection" to one or more of the best concepts, depending on evaluation of the proposal for the option, and availability of funds, may result in exercise of demonstration options, without further competition by the contractors. The demonstration effort will develop a CWA/BWA screening system and build a proof of concept prototype to be tested, evaluated, and demonstrated. The prototype will demonstrate the capabilities of the system with primary focus on reducing key risk areas for the system. Contract awardees will be responsible for all aspects of work required to successfully develop proposed technologies into functioning prototypes, including fully testing and characterizing prototype performance against CWA/BWA simulants inside sealed containers. All awards (for the feasibility effort or for the demonstration option) will require Contractors to submit monthly status reports. A comprehensive report and out-brief will be required at the conclusion of the feasibility effort and the option, if exercised. WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION: White papers may propose novel sensor technologies, and innovative components or subsystems, which hold the potential of greatly improving the performance, or feasibility, of screening systems to identify BWA/CWA inside sealed containers. White papers must describe how the technology is expected to improve detection of CWA/BWAs inside sealed containers. White papers should provide sufficient information to demonstrate an understanding of the operational environment for use of a CWA/BWA screening system. Any health or safety issues posed by the concept need to be identified. The level of maturity of the technology being proposed for the screening system should also be described. The white paper should summarize the level of testing and/or analysis that has been conducted to support the proposed concept and the work to be performed. Offerors may identify multiple concepts but must submit a separate white paper for each concept. White papers shall be submitted via e-mail to sd13@nswc.navy.mil. White papers shall be no longer than six (6) pages in length (not including cover page) and shall reference the BAA Number N00178-01-Q-3040. The paper shall include a fixed price for the feasibility study, a projected NTE amount for the prototype demonstration, and identify the key technical and administrative Points-of-Contact with telephone, fax, and e-mail information. White papers shall be unclassified. All proprietary portions of the white paper shall be clearly identified and will be treated in the strictest confidence. White papers for this BAA will be accepted for the period from date of issuance through 1 February 2002. White papers may be submitted any time during this period; however, an initial evaluation of papers will be done 45 days after issuance of this BAA. White papers received after the 45-day period may be evaluated if funds beyond those already contemplated for award remain available. The Government reserves the right to award on all, some, or none of the proposals received. Awards may be made at any time after evaluation of proposals until 30 September 2002. WHITE PAPER/PROPOSAL/FEASIBILITY STUDY EVALUATION: White papers, any subsequent proposals, and the results of any feasibility studies will be evaluated using the following criteria in descending order of importance: (A) Overall scientific or technical merit; (B) Operational feasibility of the proposed concept; (C) The offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives; (D) Risk identification and mitigation; (E) Proposed cost and realism of proposed cost. White papers will be reviewed and further information may be requested for technical clarification. Additional information may be requested in the form of written correspondence and/or oral presentations from key technical personnel proposed for the research effort. Any general questions regarding this announcement may be submitted to the NSWCDD contracting office at FAX (540) 653-6810 or via e-mail at sd13@nswc.navy.mil. This notice constitutes a BAA for NSWCDD as authorized by FAR 6.102(d)(2). Although no portion of this announcement is set aside, proposals are invited from all sources. This BAA should not be construed as commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of a resultant award. Information provided herein is subject to modification and in no way binds the Government to make an award. This CBD notice constitutes the solicitation; no written request for proposal or request for quotation will be issued beyond that defined by this notice. This announcement will be available on the World Wide Web at http://www.nswc.navy.mil/supply.

Web Link

Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (http://www.nswc.navy.mil/supply)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010920/ASOL010.HTM (W-261 SN50X978)