Mobile Vehicle-Mounted Radiation Detection Systems

CBP Mobile Vehicle-Mounted Radiation Detection Systems for Request for Information (RFI) Purposes ONLY This Request for Information (RFI issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation of Bid, Request for Proposal or a Request for Quotes. In accordance with FAR Part 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Further, CBP is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The Government will not provide reimbursement for any information that may be submitted in response to this RFI. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. No assurance is offered that any solicitation will result from the information provided in response to this RFI. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) is seeking to identify current mobile vehicle-mounted radiation detection systems (hereafter referred to as "systems" or "equipment") that may meet the operational and functional needs of the Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS) division of CBP during radiation-detection operations. The primary purpose of the systems will be to be used in mobile, moving, and/or stationary radiation detection operations for use in wide area searches, general scanning operations, and support of CBP's operations and mission. CBP is interested in understanding the scope of currently-available vehicle-mounted radiation detection systems and an understanding of products that are available. This RFI includes those systems that can be mounted on or in a standard car, sport-utility vehicle, van, truck, or similar person-operated land-based vehicle that will detect gamma and neutron radiation along with identifying the radioactive material source, as possible with a mature system offered as existing commercial or governmental products. The intent is to understand what the state-of-the-art products are available for potential future procurements. Interested parties should refer to American National Standard Institute Standard ANSI N42.43 for further descriptions of these systems. "Mobile monitors are those systems that are typically in operation on a platform that is in motion but that can also be used while stationary." CBP's process will consist of a review of submitted packages to understand the specifications. Submissions may also be shared with other government agencies within the Department of Homeland Security unless submitters state specifically otherwise. Subsequent information, such as more technical details or test reports, may be requested from vendors as appropriate. In order for a submission package to be considered complete, it must be received by the closing date and include the following on white paper in Times New Roman, 12-point font: - 1) A cover page which should include the company name, mailing address, business and technical contact information including e-mail, telephone, fax, and Internet web page, if applicable, NAICS code, company business size, (if small, indicate type); and Multiple award task order schedule number, if applicable. - 2) Identification of any existing or former (past five years) Federal Government contracts for research, development, or procurement of mobile vehicle-mounted radiation detection systems, including agency, agency point-of-contact, and details of the contract if releasable. - 3) A detailed system description which provides a well-developed description of the entire vendor technology. This description should include: - a. An overview of what the system is and how it works. - b. A list of system capabilities such as detection modes, identification modes, library of radionuclides, and other technical and operational capabilities, such as GPS compatibility, wireless communication capability, remote monitoring capabilities, etc. - c. Detection materials used for gamma neutron radiation detection and/or identification (or other types of radiation, if available) including sizes or volumes of the materials and any benefits thereof. - d. A discussion of the system's neutron-radiation detection system, including type of material, size/volume, and benefits thereof. [Note: Due to the impact of the global supply of helium-3 (He-3), it should be assumed that any future contracts for actual acquisition of systems will specify that helium-3 cannot be used]. - e. Any vehicular requirements for the system (such as weight requirements, wiring requirements, vehicle make/model/year requirements, etc), power requirements for operating the system, or other requirements (such as operator training or other). - f. A description of the user interface for operating the systems. - g. Alarming, reporting, or other indication features of the system. - h. Data file type and data storage information. - i. Any applicable or useful pictures or screenshots of the system to enhance descriptions noted above. - j. Any yearly required calibration or maintenance, and details thereof. - k. A description of how the system meets some or all of the performance requirement criteria in ANSI N42.43 standard "American National Standard Performance Criteria for Mobile and Transportable Radiation Monitors Used for Homeland Security" (with focus on mobile detectors) in Sections 7 (environmental), 8 (electrical/electromagnetic), and 9 (mechanical). - 4) Any official test reports that are releasable should be included, as appropriate. Where reports are not available, please include a description of any Federal Government or independent organizational testing and/or evaluation programs (such as DNDO GRADER, ITRAP, or others) that the equipment was included on, to include agency, agency contact, and evaluation date. - 5) A System's User Manual, if releasable. - 6) A description of the system's deployment capabilities, such as limitations on environmental factors or specific advantages of the system (internal installation available, covert installation, etc). - 7) Documentation detailing the vendor's technical capability to support all aspects of product deployment, validation, manufacturing, distribution, operations support, recalibration, and maintenance. This shall include the ability to document and modify and support the equipment. - 8) Indicate whether the equipment is currently available on multiple award task order schedule, and the current cost listed, if available. - 9) Any other information that would be applicable to the intent of this RFI. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to below email address. Send ALL packages/correspondences to contact@example.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after April 15, 2013, will be answered. All responses are due no later than 12:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST) on April 24, 2013. Submissions will not be returned. Tokunbo Aderele Contracting Officer U.S.Customs and Border Protection(CBP/DHS) Office of Administration/Procurement +1 (555) 000-0000 (Office)