Applications for Detection of Biological Materials

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate Subject: Applications for Detection of Biological Materials This exchange is being issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 15.201(e) as a Request for Information (RFI). Please be aware of the following: (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI 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. (b) Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. Additional Notice We reiterate that this is a DHS Request for Information and the use of any procurement terminology does not constitute a promise of any kind. This RFI is for the DHS S&T to gain knowledge of all qualified and interested sources with experience within the referenced subject and is being issued solely for DHS' informational and planning purposes as it may relate to acquisition strategy, planning schedules, feasibility of the requirement, development of the requirement, etc. This exchange in no way represents a formal solicitation for proposals, quotations, or bids with the intent to form binding agreements based upon results. DHS may (or may not), at the agency's sole discretion, issue a formal solicitation for this requirement at a later time. Within that vein, any descriptive /requirements information provided by DHS in this exchange is subject to change and shall in no way be treated as final or binding. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future Request for Proposal (RFP). Purpose of RFI The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Health Affairs (OHA), has reached out to DHS S&T for assistance with technology foraging related to the use of canines for detection of biological threats. Despite countless past research efforts, there currently still does not exist an "electronic nose" that can rival a well-trained canine for detection of vapor signatures. The electronic sensoring community understands that the development of an "electronic nose", modeled after a canine olfactory system, would provide a leap-ahead sensing technology. The purpose of this RFI is to collate into one document, as many sources of information as possible on the following topics: (1) past and current research and development (R&D) efforts or commercial off the shelf products in the area of "electronic noses"; (2) past and current efforts focused on using canines as potential detection solutions; (3) canine training services; and (4) canine maintenance requirements. The focus of this RFI is on collating applications for detection and identification of biological materials. The collated information will become part of a comprehensive document which will be used by DHS S&T program managers to ascertain the current state of "electronic noses" technology and canine detection (capabilities, training and maintenance requirements). Information may be used in the preparation of future research and development requirements for investment. DHS is committed to using cutting edge technologies and scientific talent in our quest to make America safer. Therefore, DHS S&T has a mission to obtain technological resources and tools that are reliable and available to be utilized as well as leveraging the existing resources to help protect the homeland. RFI Description As described in above section, DHS S&T wishes to gather information regarding past and current research on the development of "electronic noses" as sensors for biological threat agents , as well as, the current and past use of canines for the detection of biological materials in particular (to include pathogens, biological warfare agents, organisms, toxins, and growth media). DHS S&T is interested in receiving any related information as well to include training aides and procedures, logistical requirements for purchasing, training, and maintaining the canines. If a source does not have specific information applicable to detection of biological materials but has information regarding use of canines for detection of other materials (chemical, explosive, narcotics) and feels that the information is transferable to the detection of biomaterials, that information would also be of interest. RFI Response Instructions Interested sources should submit a "white paper" of no more than five pages (12 point font, double spaced). Sources may submit a response in MS Powerpoint in no more than twenty slides. The response should outlining (1) your organizations research and development activities with respect to "electronic nose" technology (2) your organizations experience with the use of canines for detection of biological material (3) logistical requirements for the purchase, training, and maintenance of canines (4) information on how canines are used in as sensors (deployment CONOPs), and any pro's and con's in canine use. Note: The Government will accept responses from organizations with experience in either "electronic nose" technology or canine use. Response are not limited to those organizations with experience in both. Sources should submit information by January 31, 2014, 5:00 PM EST to Mr. Aaryn Jefferson at Aaryn.Jefferson@hq.dhs.gov. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid DHS, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become the property of the Federal Government, and will not be returned. Responses to this RFI may be evaluated by Government technical experts drawn from staff within DHS and other Federal agencies. The Government may use selected support contractor personnel to assist in the evaluation. These support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary and source selection information. This action will be governed under DHS law enforcement sensitive guidelines.