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

Notice Date

October 12, 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

Questions and answers in respect to Commerce Business Daily Submission No. 50X978 dated 18 September 2001. Closing date remains the same. AC-Screening System to Detect Chemical and Biological Agents Inside Sealed Containers Questions & Answers: Q1. I know that Dahlgren is interested in technologies which can detect CWA/BWA inside a sealed container. Does the screening system have to detect these agents while the sealed container is itself contained inside something else (e.g. package, suitcase, clothing)? Can a suspect, sealed container be handled separately and held up (or presented automatically) for sensing by a probe? A1. The Government will consider any white paper submitted to satisfy the comprehensive requirement or elements of the requirement. A significant element of the requirement is reliable detection of sealed containers hidden inside of something else. Reliable detection of CWA and/or BWA within those containers is another significant element of the requirement. Any proposed solution must satisfy, or contribute in a valuable way to satisfaction of one, more than one, or all of the advertised requirements and must be relevant to a check point environment. Q2. What types of containers are being targeted? (i.e., metal, glass,...all?) A2. Any containers, of any materials, which might be utilized to conceal CWA/BWA, are targets of the detection system(s) defined by the BAA. Q3. What types of containers MUST the demonstration system work with? (Assuming it may not work on all containers.) A3. The demonstration system must work with those containers proposed for demonstration. The proposed demonstration must have technical merit, i.e., the solution proposed for demonstration must satisfy, or contribute in a valuable way to satisfaction of one, more than one, or all of the advertised requirements. Q4. I assume that the desired final solution is an integrated design capable of working with all container types. However, would it be equally acceptable if it consisted of multiple devices that address specific container types? A4. You are not prohibited from offering multiple devices to detect an array of specific container types. It is possible that multiple devices may be the best way to satisfy the requirement or elements of the requirement. However acceptability of a solution, for award, can only be determined when the Government has a viable offer. Q5. Can you confirm that although the white paper is due no later than 2/1/2002, it is highly recommended that it be submitted no later than 11/1/2001 (45 days after solicitation release)? A5. The BAA states: "White papers received after the 45-day period may be evaluated if funds beyond those contemplated for award remain available." It is therefore possible that papers received after that initial period will not be evaluated. Nevertheless, offerors must judge for themselves when a paper can be submitted. Q6. Is this a completely new solicitation or is this a follow on to a previous solicitation or development program? A6. This BAA is a "new" requirement. Q7. Should we anticipate that the program will be classified after award, and thus maintain, in advance, appropriate procedures, including containers for a retroactive classification of the notes, drawings, and text of the White Paper? A7. White papers are to be unclassified. The classification level, of projects that may be awarded pursuant to this solicitation, has not yet been determined. The Government does not intend to retroactively classify white papers. Offerors are responsible for ensuring white papers contain no classified information. White papers may state, as appropriate, that specific previous work in a proposed area of endeavor was classified and may therefore recommend classification of a proposed project. Additionally, any proprietary information referenced in the white paper must be identified as such. As previously stated, the Government has the option of asking for additional technical information, if need exists. Nevertheless, each white paper, as it stands alone, must include enough technical detail to allow the Government to make informed decisions.

Web Link

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

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011016/ASOL001.HTM (W-285 SN510575)