58 -- Solicitation of interest involving Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and system testing.

EPA is inviting RFID vendors to participate in a program aimed at testing innovative RFID tagging and system solutions for shipping specific chemicals and materials from generators to receivers, incorporating multiple checkpoints including cross-border locations in North America. The project demands advanced capabilities, such as capturing tag data within an information management system and achieving a read range of 5-10 feet with a 100% read rate through various challenging media including metal, liquids, solids, and viscous substances. Tags must withstand harsh environmental conditions like heat, humidity, impact, vibration, acids, dirt, and radiation. Key requirements also include individual item tagging within pallet configurations, tracking through multiple storage facilities and transport firms, and maintaining robust system security. Vendors are given flexibility in designing tag configurations and selecting tag types, with an emphasis on innovative solutions to meet these stringent challenges. This initiative is conducted under the EPA's Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluation (ESTE) and Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) programs, involving partial cost-sharing and targeting high-risk needs with significant visibility. The EPA intends to directly manage verifications for up to 10 selected vendors, with testing results to be verified by the agency and subsequently published. Interested parties have until October 11, 2005, to submit questions to the designated EPA Associate Director, Janet L. Bearden. This solicitation reflects a unique opportunity for vendors to contribute to advancing secure and reliable RFID technology for critical chemical shipping scenarios.