DNDO Conformity Test Notice

Synopsis: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Assessments Directorate (ASD) anticipates conducting a series of Graduated Rad/Nuc Detector Evaluation and Reporting (GRaDER) Program conformity tests against Technical Capability Standards and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for various radiological and nuclear detection instruments and technologies. These tests will be funded by the DNDO Standards Program. DNDO will select vetted vendors to participate in these tests based on prior performance in DNDO radiological and nuclear detection technology research and development, as well as test and evaluation activities, rather than opening participation in this particular test campaign to all interested parties. Background: The intent of the GRaDER program is to evaluate and report the performance of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) radiological/nuclear (rad/nuc) detection equipment against national consensus standards, as well as Technical Capability Standards adopted by DHS. The program helps DNDO stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding the deployment of rad/nuc equipment. More information is available here: https://www.dhs.gov/guidance-grader-program. DNDO has already provided the opportunity for interested vendors to submit devices for testing in a series of government-funded radiological and nuclear detection technology conformity tests under the Interagency Characterization and Assessment Program (ICAP), and other DNDO test and evaluation programs or pilots. To date no systems have achieved GRaDER compliance levels (1-3), and some systems proved insufficiently robust to complete the required testing. Upcoming Test Program: In an effort to most efficiently populate the GRaDER list with devices that are commercially available, the Government intends to conduct a series of test and evaluation campaigns that will be limited to devices most likely to satisfactorily complete the test campaign and also achieve a GRaDER compliance level. Although all criteria have not yet been determined, it is likely that the test campaigns will be limited to commercially-available devices that: - Demonstrate some type of "vetting," such as being already in operational use in sufficient quantities to gauge operational applicability; - Have already participated in testing through a DNDO research and development or test and evaluation project; and - Have adequate assurance from the vendor that the device will survive the "run-in" time necessary to complete the entire test. The test campaigns will be tailored for devices that have already shown the ability to come near to passing one of the three GRaDER compliance levels. It is in the Government's best economic interest to limit participation in the upcoming test series to systems that have demonstrated satisfactory performance in other DNDO rad/nuc detection technology research and development, or test and evaluation activities. This does not preclude the Government from conducting future "open admission" test campaigns; however this particular upcoming test campaign will be limited in some manner as described above. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals, nor is it a Request for Information. The test campaign will not be subject to the Competition in Contracting Act, as there is no attendant procurement. If you have any questions or comments concerning this notice (other than a request to participate) please submit them on or before 1700 PM EST 31 January 2017 in writing to DNDO via email. Address is: matthew.robertson@hq.dhs.gov. DNDO will publish future RFIs or selectively invite vendors to participate in this round of test campaigns.