Methods for Accelerated Custom Clearances for Global Distribution of DoD Cargo

United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is seeking United States-incorporated/based non-Federal partners (Collaborators) in industry and/or academia to consider for entry into Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), as described in 15 USC 3710a, with the Government to produce collaborative studies illustrating potential future capabilities for USTRANSCOM. These studies will examine and demonstrate methods of improving the rate of throughput for customs clearance in nations with the most stringent requirements. Requirements may include: agricultural inspection; sanitation, cleaning and decontamination processes; adherence to standard practices (pre-cleaning, inspection and operator training) addressing destination nation requirements; proven support equipment for detection and mitigation methods for chemical, biological and pest detection; adoption of best practices from other nations and 3rd party logistics providers; improved training for logistics operators at origin and enroute; and which current and emerging successful processes and technologies should be adopted by the Department of Defense (DoD). This is not a solicitation for a procurement contract, nor should this announcement be construed as implying any future solicitation by USTRANSCOM or any other government agency in this area. Interested parties may respond with white papers by 7 March 2025 by 0000 (12:00 midnight, U.S. Central time) by unclassified e-mail to transcom.scott.tcj5j4.mbx.orta@mail.mil by submitting an UNCLASSIFIED written white paper in format described below. Hardcopy submittal is not allowed. Potential topics for collaboration follow, based on gaps in the clearance process. Details of the actual exploration, resource commitments, schedules, research deliverables (technical findings), and work to be assigned to the Parties in the agreement will be determined by discussions after initial whitepaper selection. USTRANSCOM is considering identification and possible future adoption of any technologies or techniques across the full origin-to-destination and return transportation lanes, and also systemic considerations including training and internal enforcement methods. Field trials may take place to coincide with DOD unit movements from CONUS to OCONUS, or reverse, to provide information on real-world performance of the improvements. Submitters should confirm their willingness and ability to provide subject matter experts to participate in these field trials in U.S. and en route and overseas locations. Your proposal to enter into a CRADA should include a brief description of the following challenges you will address and the expected research outcomes for each. It should also describe what Government data, access to facilities, or subject matter expertise should be added to the collaboration with your organization to make the research productive. Information, processes and technologies you propose for expedited DoD customs clearance may include, but are not limited to: Understanding the most important contributors of customs clearance throughput pace for various nations and identification of common requirements that impact multiple nation import restrictions. Technologies for detection of biological agents/pathogens, agricultural products, insect and animal pests and invasive species, chemicals and radioactive materials. Rapid assessment of cargo status/cleanliness level compared to export destination requirements for entry clearance. Techniques and technologies for cleaning and decontamination at cargo origin, at ports of debarkation, in transit, and at entry to destination country. Ongoing research and development to advance technologies contributing to the above challenges and opportunities to influence the project direction for DoD cargo in global destinations. Industry practices proven successful for high assurance of rapid customs/agricultural clearances for nations with extensive and strict requirements. Success stories. Examples where techniques and technologies have been especially successful for industry or Government use in global supply chains achieving efficient and rapid customs clearances. Other topics as determined by discussion. Collaborative work may be paper studies, or field trials/tests or demonstrations, as necessary to develop the concepts to demonstrate value to USTRANSCOM. USTRANSCOM may provide (as determined by discussions): Description of current observed customs clearance performance and known shortfalls. Access to Government subject matter experts. Performance, cost and information and infrastructure security goals. Access to Government facilities for live demonstration and development. Small businesses are encouraged to respond to this announcement. Potential Collaborators may team with other qualified non-federal parties. Specific study outputs, use of field trials and tests, and any development and demonstration goals will be determined during discussions with Collaborators prior to CRADA signatures and refined as necessary during the life of the CRADAs. Multiple federal agencies may participate on behalf of or in partnership with USTRANSCOM, including but not limited to agencies of Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC, U.S. Army), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and other agencies of the U.S. Government, as USTRANSCOM deems appropriate. Purdue University may be a participant with USTRANSCOM and your organization. Purdue University is entering an Education Partnership Agreement with USTRANSCOM which may facilitate shared research work on the improved customs clearance topic. Supporting information, discussions, demonstrations, and other collaborative activities should remain at the UNCLASSIFIED level. If classified information exchange is proposed by the Collaborator, Collaborator personnel must be appropriately cleared at the outset of the CRADA, at no cost to the government and contractor Facility Clearance CRADAs are defined in 15 USC 3710a(d), in part, as - any agreement between one or more federal laboratories and one or more non-federal parties under which the Government, through its laboratories, provides personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property or other resources with or without reimbursement (but not funds to non-Federal parties) and the non-Federal parties provide funds, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources toward the conduct of specified research or development efforts which are consistent with the missions of the laboratory; except that such term does not include a procurement contract More info on USTRANSCOM's use of CRADAs is found at http://www.ustranscom.mil/dbw/orta.cfm. CRADAs resulting from this announcement are forecast to be in effect for approximately a 1-year period, although duration can be tailored to suit the parties needs before or even after work begins, by mutual agreement. USTRANSCOM and other designated Government agencies selected by USTRANSCOM will evaluate potential Collaborators white papers (submittal instructions follow). Based on response to the RFI's requested response elements and Government interest and capacity to enter into such agreements, USTRANSCOM will choose one, multiple, or zero white papers as basis for additional discussion, and so notify the respondents. Initial selection of white papers and subsequent discussions do not guarantee selection of any Collaborator by USTRANSCOM to actually enter into a CRADA. After initial white paper selection, the government will conduct discussions separately with each selected Collaborator, seeking to reach mutual agreement on objectives, duration, intellectual property, and resources to be applied by the parties in the proposed CRADA-based experiments. The government may choose to visit pertinent facilities for a tour of Collaborator capabilities prior to final selections. No funding is available from the government to cover white paper preparation or submittal costs, or to cover discussions, facility visits or any other Collaborator costs of preparation for or participation in a CRADA. The USTRANSCOM template CRADA is available at the USTRANSCOM Technology Transfer webpage http://www.ustranscom.mil/dbw/orta.cfm so potential Collaborators may understand its terms. The Collaborator(s) and USTRANSCOM will draft and seek to finalize specific CRADA objectives and language collaboratively via discussions/mutual agreement after white paper selection. Please use the following format: Microsoft Word or .pdf format of not more than 8 pages in length, on standard 8 by 11-inch page, with 1-inch margins at top, bottom, left and right, in Times New Roman font of not less than 12-point size, with no more than 6 lines per inch. Pages numbered sequentially in the bottom footer including company name and identification of proprietary information as appropriate on each page. Clearly marked/identified proprietary information, photos, or diagrams. Proprietary information or trade secrets do not have to be disclosed in this response, if the general technique can be otherwise described. Include the following elements (within the 8-page limit): Title (no separate title page needed). Company or organizational name and U.S. state of incorporation, and incorporation of any parent entity. Companies with foreign ownership or parentage must identify the U.S. state of incorporation of the U.S. entity. Brief description of approach to collaboration on your selection of topics A through H listed above; additional topics you recommend for collaborative study; brief description of what information or resources your company is willing to provide to the research USTRANSCOM for each topic. Resources to be supplied by the Collaborator during the CRADA (examples: access to proven technologies and techniques for demonstration and evaluation for utility; equipment and prototypes; access to facilities, personnel expertise, information systems, proprietary techniques, hardware, software, materials, etc.). Resources requested from USTRANSCOM (examples: personnel skillsets, data, access to selected environments, access to facilities including test/demo facilities, etc.; no DoD-provided funding is permitted). Identify all proprietary information with appropriate markings or citations. Include points of contact (name, point of contact, address, e-mail, and phone) for notification of selection/non-selection and follow-on discussions/visits (if chosen). USTRANSCOM and other government entities participating in white paper review and actual collaborative work under CRADAs may include in-house support contractors. Non-disclosure agreements will be signed as required by the Parties to incorporate these participants. The USTRANSCOM Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) technical advisor (coordinator of USTRANSCOM Technology Transfer activities including CRADAs) is a member of LMI Consulting. Proposals not selected for further discussion will be archived by the government and appropriately protected. Primary Point of Contact: Mr. Mark Surina, LMI Consulting, USTRANSCOM Office of Research and Technology Applications, USTRANSCOM TCJ5-XF (ORTA), 508 Scott Drive, Scott AFB IL 62225-5357, e-mail: transcom.scott.tcj5j4.mbx.orta@mail.mil.