Passenger Screening X-ray Technology, Low Density Threshold Analysis

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) to support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Security Technology, Passenger Screening Program - Passenger Screening X-ray Technology, Low Density Threshold Analysis. 1. DESCRIPTION Background: TSA is responsible for protecting the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. However, several challenges exist relating to optimizing checkpoint performance. Passenger screening at the checkpoint relies heavily on the Transportation Security Officer's (TSO) interpretation of Passenger Screening X-ray Technology, which can be complex and difficult to interpret. The amount of time spent on this interpretation can factor heavily on overall passenger throughput at the checkpoint. Additionally, screening costs are continuously rising with every new piece of equipment introduced to the checkpoint. TSA believes there may be a security and operational benefit to automatically clearing bags that have a very low probability of containing a threat. Objective: TSA is currently conducting market research to determine if products currently exist to automatically and efficiently clear low density/low threat items through the passenger screening x-ray technology located at the airport passenger screening checkpoint. TSA is currently performing a market survey to determine if vendors exist that addresses the following concepts: - Provides an automated detection algorithm that will reduce the amount of review time required by a screener and increase accuracy - Evaluates the impact on the required number of TSOs to perform image interpretation and bag searches - Evaluates the types of threats that could be automatically cleared and those that must be manually reviewed - Be mindful of space constraints within the common checkpoint environment and potential for changes to layout or procedures - Identifies hardware/software for identification of data TSA's objective is to identify a solution that will apply detection algorithms to reliably clear items that do not pose a threat to the aviation transit system. By doing so, higher detection rates will be achieved and passenger's item throughput will be improved. Specifically, TSA seeks to obtain: (1) information about solutions based on vendor experience in environments similar to TSA, (2) information about products and services offered by industry that provides a complete solution that meets the above concept(s), and, (3) suggestions on alternative approaches to increase detection of threats and/or increase throughput. This RFI does not constitute a future contract and vendors shall not be compensated for providing information. 2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Vendors should refer to the DHS website at www.dhs.gov and the TSA website at www.tsa.gov for information about the TSA mission, organization, locations, customer services, and current initiatives. 3. RESPONSES TO THE RFI TSA is seeking information from vendors with expertise and experience in: - Developing automated detection algorithms - Evaluating threats - Optimizing security processes The following sections provide a recommend outline for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government. All responses should: 1. Not exceed and will be restricted up to twenty (20) pages, size (12) Times New Roman Font. 2. Provide the company's point of contact to include name, telephone number, and e-mail address. 3. Shall be electronically submitted to the email address below. Section 1 - Corporate Expertise Briefly describe the company, products and services, history, ownership, financial information, and other information deemed relevant (1-2 pages). Section 2 - Conceptual Alternatives The Government is interested in conceptual alternatives for the concepts describe above. TSA encourages creativity, and cost saving responses to this RFI. Briefly describe one or more high-level alternative concepts, assumptions based on information provided. Responses may address one or both of the concepts listed above. Responses to this RFI should discuss the hardware and software required for each solution. Identify proposed products and services compatible with total solution (e.g., products, software, etc.) Address security-related issues, current government security certifications. Discuss the feasibility and trade-offs of each alternative, cost trade-offs as well as maintenance and/or recurring costs. Estimate the time required to design/develop/implement conceptual alternatives (15 pages). Section 3 - Experience Describe three key projects the company has participated in that are similar in size, scope, and complexity to the TSA environment, preferably within the Federal Government arena. Briefly describe the customer environment, application solution designed/implemented, project management methodology, security requirements, best practices implemented, and relevant lessons learned. In addition, vendors should indicate their General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract number, if applicable. Indicate the size (e.g., number of client sites, transaction volumes, bandwidth availability, distance), scope, and complexity of the efforts cited. Include a description of the dollar value of each contract/project and the total cost to implement a given solution (3 pages). 4. REVIEW OF VENDOR RESPONSES The Government will review vendor submissions to ascertain: - Relevance of technical approaches to the TSA environment and goals based on assumptions made by the vendor with regards to information provided by the Government in the RFI and information provided on the DHS and TSA websites - Relevance of projects identified for past performance information to the TSA in terms of size, scope, and complexity - Life cycle cost of the proposed concept, associated benefits, modularity and interoperability. 5. INFORMATION EXCHANGE MEETINGS Prior to review of vendor responses to the RFI, TSA may at their discretion hold a technical information exchange meeting with respondents. The meeting will focus on industry experiences related to solution development/design including processes and methodologies, technical solutions, best practices, lessons learned, associated cost, risks and programmatic benefits. Information about this meeting will be made available at a later date. 6. DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. The Government may, at its discretion, contact vendors for questions or clarifications. However, there should be no expectation that the Government will contact vendors based on the contents of their responses. In accordance with FAR 15.202(e), responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. 7. VENDOR SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES AND CONTACT INFORMATION Responses are not to exceed twenty (20) pages in total per concept. Vendors may submit more than one response to this RFI. Please contact Holly Bolger, Contracting Officer, via e-mail with questions related to this RFI. The deadline for all questions is 4:00 p.m. EST on May 18, 2011. Government will release answers to questions prior to the RFI closing date. Please submit all responses via e-mail in Microsoft Word format by 4:00 p.m. EST on June 1, 2011, to Holly.Bolger@dhs.gov. APPENDIX A To be technically and economically viable, the concept solution may have the following capabilities: - Utilize industry standards for data format and storage - Interface with existing passenger screening x-ray technology