In-car Video Camera Systems

1. BACKGROUND: The mission of CBP is to secure U.S. ports of entry and borders from people and goods that are prohibited or which threaten U.S. citizens, infrastructure, resources and food supply, while efficiently facilitating legitimate trade and travel. The mission includes interdicting contraband [i.e., drugs, currency, guns, high explosives (HE) and weapons of mass destruction (WMD)], undocumented aliens and persons deemed to be a threat to the security of the USA. Recently, the Office of Field Operations (OFO) of CBP has identified a requirement for recording and monitoring in real-time the pursuit of drivers in vehicles, which enter the USA through a port of entry and are attempting to flee from the Customs Officers during the course of a secondary examination (the so-called - port runners). 2. OBJECTIVE: The major objectives of this effort are to: a. Provide a reliable - in-car video camera system, which will record and transmit in real-time (via wireless streaming video) the vehicle pursuit. b. Provide wireless video transmission capability over a radius of at least 100 miles. c. Provide a reliable - in-car video camera system, which will record in real-time the occupants in the back seat of the CBP vehicles during transport. d. Provide ability to store the video file for later review and use. e. Provide low-light video display and recording capability. f. Provide a system which is efficient and user-friendly. g. Provide an integrated GPS capability to track the CBP vehicle. h. Provide a system with safeguards to account for the chain of custody, while in Customs Officer's possession. 3. DESCRIPTION: This notice solicits information regarding commercially available or near commercially available (i.e., full-scale, operational prototype) In-Car Video Camera Systems to determine the vendor interest in participating in an evaluation of these technologies by U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The primary purpose of the technology is to display and record the video during pursuit, simultaneously (in real-time) transmit the video (via wireless streaming video) to a central facility, and archive the video file (record) for later review and use. 4. SCOPE: The announcement solicits market information for In-Car Video Camera Systems as described above. CBP is interested in studying and evaluating the current state-of-the-art in these systems that are available without the need for further development. This RFI seeks information on such products. 5. INFORMATION: The evaluation process employed by CBP will consist of a review of vendor submittals by a panel of in-house subject matter experts. This review is intended to demonstrate to CBP that the proposed technology satisfies the basic functional requirements and is, at a minimum, at a field deployable prototype stage. At a minimum, vendor submittals shall include: a. Description of the system including technical specifications. b. Reports of vendor performed factory tests for compliance with vendor stated technical specifications. c. Training requirements. d. System setup requirements. e. Warranty information. f. Life-time cycle costs, including cost of the system, maintenance and training costs. (Assume ten years for the life-time cycle.) g. GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contract availability. Maximum size of the submittal is twenty (20) pages, including the cover letter. Please address each of the objectives listed in Section 2 above. CBP may request further information following a vendor's submittal. All documents are to be provided in MS Word format using Times New Roman font at 12 point. All packages submitted, electronically or by electronic media, must be free of any computer virus. If a virus is found, the package will be destroyed. Please submit a cover letter on company letterhead that includes in addition to the company name and address, the business and technical point-of-contact (POC) information [name of POC, e-mail, fax, telephone, and web page (if applicable)]. The cover letter should include a synopsis stating the concept and a brief description of the system. The cover letter should be limited to no more than two (2) pages. 6. NOTICE: This announcement will be open for thirty (30) days from the date of publication. This notice is issued solely for obtaining market information and planning purposes. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation 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. This is a Request for Information, and a vendor's response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of identifying whether currently available In-Car Video Camera Systems are reliable and user-friendly enough to meet the needs of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Vendors shall indicate their FSS contract number, business size, 8(a) or Hubzone status if applicable, and also provide their DUNS number and TAX ID number. Any questions concerning this RFI or its accompanying document(s) must be submitted via e-mail to the Point of Contact, Dr. Siraj M. Khan CHP. 7. ADDRESS: Interested vendors shall send their response addressed to Dr. Siraj M. Khan CHP, Physical Scientist, Interdiction Technology Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, National Place, Suite 1575, 1331 Pennsylvania, Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20004 only by E-mail to Siraj.M.Khan@dhs.gov.