Detection Standard 8.0 Characterization Study

This is a synopsis of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) requirement to be solicited on a sole source basis to: Smiths Detection 2202 Lakeside Boulevard Edgewood, MD 21040 This is a noncompetitive action under FAR 6.302-1. Based on DHS S&T's market research and in-depth knowledge of the Electronic Baggage Screening Program of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), S&T has determined that Smiths Detection is the only source to execute this research. TSA is currently in the process of upgrading their guidelines and detection standards from version 7.0 to 8.0 for Checked Baggage Inspection Systems. The 8.0 detection standard has been written, but due to the increase in detection requirements, TSA is unsure how well their currently deployed, Version 7 compliant systems compare against the 8.0 standard. However, it is highly likely that the 8.0 detection standard has created new gaps/requirements for TSA deployable systems. Thus, a characterization study of currently deployed (qualified and fielded) systems is required in order to evaluate how well TSA current capabilities compare to TSA desired capabilities. This will help delineate new research and development (R&D) gaps and requirements for S&T and TSA to address over the next few years. There are only two qualified and fielded systems that could be used to test this requirement and the Government intends to test both. One such system belongs to Smiths Detection. Other vendors will not be able to characterize detection systems belonging to Smiths Detection, and only a fielded system will satisfy agency requirements because TSA's requirement is to understand how its new standard applies to fielded systems. There is no value to this determination if the system tested doesn't meet the requirements for being in the field. The Government anticipates awarding a stand-alone contract as a result of the solicitation. The Government is not utilizing a General Services Administration Schedule or any sort of Government-wide or multiple-award contract to issue an order. The primary place of performance will be at Smiths Detection facilities and certain Government facilities designated by DHS S&T. The period of performance will be 12 months. No response to this synopsis is requested. The following is a summary of the requirement: In 2021, TSA Requirements and Capabilities Analysis (RCA), in collaboration with DHS S&T, developed the Checked Baggage Detection Standard v8.0. The development of Checked Baggage Detection Standard v8.0 finalized and established an objective (O) detection key performance parameter within the Checked Baggage Operational Requirement Document (ORD). The threshold (T) detection key performance parameter has currently been set to Checked Baggage Detection Standard v7.2 by TSA's Office of Acquisition & Program Management Electronic Baggage Screening Program (EBSP). The differences between the threshold (T) and the objective (O) detection key performance parameters have further characterized a capability gap within the checked baggage aviation security environment. TSA is requesting that DHS S&T execute an R&D investment to identify detection capability of currently qualified and fielded Explosives Detection System (EDS) against Checked Baggage Detection Standard v8.0. This information will be used to determine trade space in setting the baseline detection functional requirement documents (D-FRD) for the future EBSP program acquisitions and systems engineering lifecycle management. Detection trade space consists of existing detection standards, various threat categories, specific threat materials, targeted detection, and mass thresholds. Other key detection trade space parameters include minimum material thickness and overall detection. This effort will further delineate new R&D gaps and requirements for S&T and TSA to address. The technical engineering services will further support test and evaluation of various key performance parameters which specifies a critical work stream of engineering services needed to understand the baseline capability and performance of the already procured and Government owned Checked Baggage systems. This work addresses capability gaps and/or objective capability performance identified in the ORD for Checked Baggage Screening. At this time S&T is only considering the characterization of Government purchased computed tomography (CT) systems that have already been deployed to U.S. airports under the TSA EBSP contracts. This includes CT systems that have been certified by TSA at Detection Standard v7.2. The technical engineering services will inform future research, development, test, and evaluation of various key performance parameters. This program includes test planning, execution, and delivery of results to the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, S&T and TSA using existing Explosive Detection Equipment currently deployed at TSL, Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, and the TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) located in Arlington, VA. This effort will ultimately test existing EDS systems against a specified subset of threats from Checked Baggage Detection Standard v8.0 to be specified by the Government. Threat items will be collected and tested in both low and high clutter scenarios and concealments. The contractor will collect the data, label the data accordingly, and provide an assessment of detection by material and false alarm rate. To perform the work, the contractor will need to have the following minimum capabilities: - Access to, familiarity with, and authorization to manage a configuration-managed model of a certified Explosive Detection System - Cleared personnel to access the Detection Standards and threat information - Understanding of TSA EBSP operations and familiarity in working with TSA standards - Engineering experience and explosives detection experience