63 -- Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening Systems

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is conducting market research regarding Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening Systems for use in the aviation checkpoint environment. The TSA is interested in evaluating market-ready systems and is inviting voluntary participation from sources that offer these systems to support a laboratory demonstration and trial. Vendors are asked to provide one unit, an operation manual, an on-site representative, set-up, and removal of their Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening System. Demonstration will take up to five days for each unit and will be at no cost to the TSA. The demonstration will examine the capabilities of the individual Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening Systems. Each vendor may participate in the trial and will retain ownership of their Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening System for the duration of the demonstration. The focus of this capabilities demonstration is to evaluate technologies and systems designed to screen carry-on baggage at aviation checkpoints. The goal is to provide the TSA access to a variety of potential technologies and systems for evaluation. Vendors are requested to submit white papers to the TSA to determine capability. The TSA intends to proceed as follows: ? Solicitation of white papers by this RFI. ? Based on the evaluation of white papers received, the TSA will identify eligible vendors. As described above, eligible vendors will be requested to provide one unit to the TSA for a period of up to five days for demonstration and evaluation purposes. The unit will ship and install the unit at the lab located at the TSA Headquarters in Arlington, Va. ? At the conclusion of demonstration, the unit will be returned to the vendor. In order for systems to be eligible for submission for demonstration, vendors must supply proof of compliance with 21CFR1020.40. Vendors must also successfully complete independent radiological safety testing at their own expense to meet ANSI N43.17, and must provide the laboratory results or certification. Radiological safety testing must be conducted on a unit that is representative of the final design as evidenced in the Test Certifications that will be submitted. Requirements The Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening System shall provide the capability to visually locate and identify potential threats within carry-on baggage and divestment bins. The Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening System must be capable of being integrated into the checkpoint environment. The system will be used to differentiate metallic, non-metallic, and organic substances, and to aid in discriminating threat items. The Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening System may include options beyond the currently fielded X-Ray equipment which provide two-dimensional top-down view. These options should provide the user with additional information to help differentiate between threats and non-threats. The Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening System must currently have the ability to locate and identify potential metallic threats. In addition, the system must have the capability to detect explosive compounds or must be upgradeable to implement this functionality. The Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening System must currently incorporate, or be upgradeable to include, a training subsystem that can test users on their ability to discern threats from non-threats by superimposing threat images onto screened items. Submission Requirements for RFI Vendors may submit a single white paper for one or more systems that fit the criteria listed above. Submitted white papers shall provide the following information: ? Written commitment to provide radiological safety testing by a qualified independent laboratory. Failure to provide proof of certification will result in immediate disqualification from further participation. ? Certification of the ability to provide one demonstration unit to the TSA at no cost within 15 days of authorization to submit. ? Written statement that the vendor can provide the services described in this RFI. ? System dimensions (size, weight, height, and floor-loading in kilograms per square meter) and a listing of major end-item components. TSA aviation checkpoint maximum size requirements are as follows: the footprint shall not exceed 1 meter by 3 meters; the height shall not exceed 2 meters; and the weight shall not exceed 650kg/m2. Units that do not conform to these size limitations will not be considered for testing. Misrepresentation or inability to meet the requirements stated in this RFI will be cause for immediate disqualification from any further participation in the TSA Advanced Technology Carry-on Screening Systems program. Response Format and Due Date Written responses are required. Responses shall be prepared using 12 point font and shall not exceed 4 pages in length (including all data displays, charts, graphs, and tables). The due date for receipt of responses to this RFI is 4:30 pm EST, October 6th, 2006. This action supports informational objectives and in no way binds the Government to a contract at this time or in the future. The Government will not assume any liability during testing and will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the vendor. Submission Address Adam Freimanis 609-813-3273 Adam.Freimanis@dhs.gov