99 -- Air Cargo Certified Shipper Request for Information (RFI)

CERTIFIED SHIPPER PROGRAMResponses due: July 4, 2007 no later then 4:00pm US Eastern Time 1.0 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 1.1 RFI Objectives The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in gathering information regarding Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) software that is fielded in the cargo security products/services industry. This RFI is issued solely for market research, planning and information purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder. The TSA Air Cargo Program Office is seeking detailed capability statements which include an analysis, both operationally and technically of software product(s). TSA is seeking, at no cost to the government, assistance assessing the capabilities of the software for a period not to exceed 60 working days. 1.2 Program Description TSA is in the early requirement and design phase of developing a voluntary Certified Shipper Program. In order to participate in this program the shipper first must be registered as a Known Shipper and then meet an additional set of security standards to become a Certified Shipper. The security standards for the Certified Shipper Program will be established by the Government. The verification of the Shipper?s compliance to the security standards would then be verified by a third party validator who would then report its findings to the Government. The Government would then determine whether or not to grant the program membership to the applicant. 1.3 Information Requested The capability statement in the response to this RFI should include: - support for an industry application process for membership in the certified shipper program - support the validation process whereby a third party would collect compliance information and report the findings to the government - support certification process whereby the government would issue certifications to approved shippers -support a repository of the applicants who are applying or deemed certified - support the capability to communicate and share data with other government and foreign management systems, for example, TSA?s Known Shipper Management System. - confirmation of willingness to demonstrate and support the software technology capabilities to the government for 60 days at no cost to the government -confirmation of willingness to support the government for 60 days at no cost to the government to review any operational or technology products that will support the development of a government baseline Functional Requirements Document. 2.0 RESPONDING TO THIS RFI 2.1 Instructions for Responding to this RFI Responses should not exceed twenty (20) pages and should be submitted no later then 4:00pm., July 4, 2007 US Eastern Time. Do not submit unsolicited proposals in response to this RFI, they will not be considered. Organizations are invited to submit description(s) of their offerings and may be invited to an industry forum in the future. Responders are solely responsible for all expense associated with responding to this RFI. 2.2 Who May Respond to this RFI Responses are welcome from any organization in industry, government or academia with relevant software and/or technology information. 2.3 How to Respond One electronic submission in machine-readable format (typically ASCII, MS Word, or WordPerfect format) should be sent electronically to contact@example.gov. Responses to this RFI must be received at TSA no later then 4:00pm July 4, 2007 US Eastern Time. 2.4 RFI Response Contact Organizations responding to this RFI shall designate a single contact within that company for receipt of all subsequent information regarding this RFI and the forthcoming release of Request for Proposals. 2.5 Format of RFI Responses The following outline is offered to assist in the development of a response. The response should include: ? A cover letter that includes a brief summary of the response indicating whether or not supporting documentation is included in your response. ? The response itself, covering any or all of the areas of information requested by this RFI. In order to assure that the response receives the attention it deserves, limit the size of the response to 20 pages. 2.6 Copyrighted Material Responses to the RFI will not be returned. If proprietary information is included in the response to this RFI, be aware that all materials may be used to develop Government documentation. 2.7 Questions Regarding this RFI Any questions regarding this RFI should be sent to: Samantha Gray at contact@example.gov.