Transportation Security AdministrationMaritime Security Programs Screening Users' Guide Request for Information Background Since 2004, the Maritime Programs Office (MPO) has been testing commercial-off-the-shelf screening equipment and procedures on passenger vessels to screen vehicles, passengers, and baggage. As part of these tests, MPO has gathered extensive data on the equipment's suitability to the environment and to the operations where the tests took place. MPO will offer the results of those tests and independent, qualified laboratory results of other commercial-off-the-shelf technologies to the passenger vessel industry in the form of a "Maritime Screening Users' Guide" an easy-to-use format to assist those in the passenger vessel industry in evaluating screening technologies and procedures for possible deployment. Approach Offerors are requested to submit white papers for TSA to determine commercial-off-the-shelf screening equipment's capabilities to meet minimum requirements. TSA intends to proceed as follows: (1) Solicitation of white papers by this public announcement. Offerors are asked to submit a ten (10)-page response to this announcement including test results/certification documentation, which addresses each of the minimum requirements as defined in the requirements section. (2) Based on the evaluation of white papers submitted, TSA will identify eligible systems from those nominated by the vendors in their white papers. TSA will evaluate each system against the minimum requirements, as denoted by "shall" statements, documented under the white paper requirements section in this document. (3) Based on the evaluation of white papers submitted, the TSA will down-select to those systems which have satisfactorily met the minimum requirements as specified in the white paper requirements section. Offerors will be notified in writing if they met the down-select criteria and their systems qualify for inclusion in the "Maritime Screening Users' Guide." Publication of the "Maritime Screening Users' Guide" is anticipated to be February 2008. This RFI is issued solely 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. 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. Misrepresentations or inability to meet requirements stated in this Request for Information will be cause for immediate disqualification from inclusion in the "Maritime Screening Users' Guide." The government reserves the unconditional right to independently verify any and all statements and assertions made in response to this RFI. Statements and assertions that cannot be independently verified may, at the discretion of the government, be cause for immediate disqualification. White Paper Requirements All interested parties must respond to this request for information no later than ten (10) calendar days from the date of posting in the form of a white paper expressing intent to participate. The white paper must provide the following information: A. Company name and address to include a hyperlink for publication in the "Maritime Screening Users' Guide," business status, location of production facilities, name and address of laboratory testing facility which conducted testing/certification, and security classification. B. Corporate Expertise - Briefly describe your company, your products and services, history, ownership, financial information, and other information you deem relevant. C. Product model and product specifications D. Technical Description: Description of the system addressing its capabilities against the minimum requirements. The Technical Description contains seven (7) "shall" statements, listed below: i. The total length of time to screen either passengers or baggage, as appropriate, shall be under thirty (30) seconds. The total length of time to screen vehicles shall be under sixty (60) seconds. ii. The false positive rate shall be commensurate with the type of technology but not greater than 15% of total items or persons screened when used by a trained operator. A false positive rate of 10% or less is desired. Systems shall have a false alarm rate, defined as an alarm generated when no potential threat object is present, of less than 1% of total items or persons screened when used by a trained operator.. iii. The set-up and deployment time for equipment to scan passengers and/or baggage shall be under half a day and shall require no more than three people. The set-up time for equipment to scan vehicles shall be under two days. iv. The training requirements and the time commitment necessary to train personnel shall be under three normal eight hour business days. v. With the exception of the equipment to scan vehicles, the equipment shall be mobile and easily moved from location to location with minimal manpower requirements. Equipment to scan vehicles is not required to be mobile, but shall require only one truck to move and not more than one mobile crane to erect. Vehicle scanning equipment shall not require a permanent installation. Interested parties shall briefly explain the procedures for moving the equipment, and the manpower and support equipment required to conduct the move. vi. The manufacturer shall verify performance parameters by submitting a summary of independent test results and, as stated above, the name and address of the testing facility. E. Addition Description: Description of the system addressing other characteristics and capabilities that would prove valuable to the passenger vessel industry. The Additional Description shall contain the requirements listed below: i. A representative picture or pictures ii. Power requirements iii. Manpower requirements iv. Environmental concerns - potential ways that adverse weather could impact the equipment's ability to function v. The type of image projection, if the equipment uses image projection vi. TIP capabilities, if available. vii. Whether the screening method is active or passive and radiation exposure rates for passengers and operators viii. A description of the equipment's size, weight, and footprint ix. Any other information that the contractor deems appropriate Response Format and Due Date Responses shall be prepared using 12-point font on standard 8 1/2 by 11 paper and shall not exceed ten (10) pages in length, including all images, data displays, charts, graphs, and tables. Responses to this RFI must be received no later than 4:00 PM EST on August 10, 2007. All specification documents down-selected will be included in the "Maritime Screening Users' Guide." Down-selected contractors must submit a Nondisclosure Statement. Submission Address The point of contact for this request for information is: Mr. Luis Pe?a Office of Acquisitions Phone: (571) 227-2860 Luis.pena1@dhs.gov
