58 -- Crane Spreader Mounted Radiation/Nuclear Detection Technology

1. DESCRIPTION. This notice solicits information regarding commercially available or near commercially available (i.e., full-scale, operational prototype) Spreader Mounted Radiation/Nuclear Detection Technology, and to determine the commercial interest in participating in an evaluation of these technologies led by U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The primary purpose of the technology is to accurately detect nuclear and radiological materials within containerized cargo as it is being transferred from ship to shore. 2. SCOPE: The announcement solicits market information and applications for Spreader Mounted Radiation/Nuclear Detection Technology Systems as described above. CBP is interested in understanding and testing the current state of the art in these systems that are available without the need for further development. The intent is to obtain a fully functional system to evaluate under limited operational conditions in order to determine readiness for operational deployment. This RFI seeks information on such products. 3. INFORMATION. CBP?fs evaluation process will consist of a phased approach. In order to qualify for testing in successive phases, an offeror must satisfactorily complete all testing in the preceding phase. Test phases include: Phase 1 - Review of Vendor Submittal Phase 2 - Limited Operational Testing Phase 3 - Follow-on testing at a National Laboratory Phase 1 is intended to demonstrate to CBP that the proposed technology satisfies the basic functional requirements and is, at a minimum, at a field deployable prototype stage. The information provided will also be used to further define the tests and conditions for Phases 2 and 3. At a minimum, vendor submittals shall include: Description of the system including technical specifications Reports of vendor performed factory, prototype, seaport environmental, quasi-operational and/or independent, tests, demonstrations, and modeling and simulation including system sensitivity Safety documentation System setup requirements Operation procedures including current system response alert/display and data collection capabilities (The Government will need access to the data in near real-time) Assemble/disassemble time CBP may request further information following an offerors submittal. All documents are to be provided on company letterhead and provided in MS Word format using Times New Roman font at 12 point. All packages submitted electronically or by electronic media must be free of any computer virus. If a virus is found, the package will be destroyed. Please submit a cover letter that includes the company name and address, with business and technical contact information to include e-mail, fax, telephone, and web page (if applicable). The cover letter should include a synopsis stating the concept and a brief description of the system. The cover letter should be limited to no more than two (2) pages. Phase 2 of the evaluation will consist of a limited field evaluation of the capabilities of Spreader Mounted Radiation/Nuclear Detection Technology Systems. The evaluations will be conducted by using test objects that will assess the detection capability of the system. These may include: Multiple container sizes Multiple container contents Multiple configurations of test objects Evaluation testing will be conducted at a seaport TBD by CBP during the late spring/early summer timeframe. Responders will be required to ensure safe shipping and handling of all systems to and from the location. CBP will not bear any cost for shipping and handling nor damage of any systems during this evaluation. Responders will be limited to one week set up to include any operational checks. All responders must come equipped with a fully operational system to include detection devices and spreader bar, and be required to operate the system for approximately one week. CBP will arrange for the radiological materials, shipping containers, access to cranes, and crane operators. CBP will NOT furnish any spreader bar devices. Upon completion of Phase 2 and evaluation of the test data, those technologies, if any, demonstrating the potential to meet or exceed CBP?fs criteria for radiation detection equipment will be further evaluated in Phase 3 testing. Phase 3 of the evaluation would be conducted at a National Laboratory using actual threat materials. As with Phase 2, the responders will be required to provide a fully operational system at the test location. The individual test reports describing the results of each system evaluated are intended to be distributed only to the individual system manufactures and government agencies, on a ?gLaw Enforcement Sensitive/For Official Government Use Only?h basis. 4. NOTICE. This announcement will be open for thirty (30) days from publication. This notice is issued solely for obtaining market information and planning purposes. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Although the terms proposal and offeror are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of identifying whether currently available Crane Mounted Radiation/Nuclear Detection Technology Systems are robust and sensitive enough to meet the needs of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Offerors shall indicate their business size, 8(a) or Hubzone status if applicable, and also provide their DUNS number and TAX ID number. Any questions concerning this RFI or its accompanying document(s) must be submitted via Email to the Point of Contact, as listed below. 5. ADDRESS: Interested vendors shall send their response addressed to Mr. Dean A. Titcomb, Information Technology Acquisition Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, National Place, Suite 1310, 1331 Pennsylvania, Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20004 by email to Dean.Titcomb@associates.dhs.gov. Tel: 202.393-8441x240