Request for Information - Mobile Radiation Detection Equipment

*** Amendment A00001 - June 26, 2015 - This RFI Special Notice is hereby amended to extend the due date of this posting by two weeks and change the Contracting Officer from Lori Lawson to Christopher Wallis. The due date for responses to this RFI are due no later than July 17, 2015 by 4:30 PM EST. Please email responses, Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF, to Christopher Wallis, Contracting Officer, at christopher.wallis@hq.dhs.gov and to Camille Murray, Contract Specialist, at camille.murray@hq.dhs.gov. ***End of A00001 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP or Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). This RFI does not commit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) to contract for any supply or service. DHS DNDO is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the DNDO will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or BAA. If a solicitation is released, it will be released via the Government-Wide Port of Entry (GPE) at (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor the website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the DNDO, and will not be returned. 1.0 Description Nuclear terrorism is a persistent threat, one with potentially devastating consequences, and is the reason the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) exists. DNDO's singular mission is to prevent nuclear terrorism, a national security priority for the United States. Our research and development must not focus just on current threats and capabilities, but continually seek to anticipate future trends and challenges. Furthermore, DNDO does not just focus on the United States (U.S.) borders, but reaches out to its foreign partners to help them organize, train, and equip their people to prevent nuclear terrorism as well. Toward that end, DNDO continually develops and procures radiation detection equipment for deployment by DHS and state/local/tribal law enforcement entities to protect and strengthen various pathways through which global commerce travels. In this RFI, DNDO is conducting market research to determine if sources capable of satisfying DNDO's requirement for three different types of mobile detection and identification systems and/or vehicles are available in the commercial marketplace: - Relocatable Radiation Portal Monitor System - Radiation Detection/Identification (or Categorization) Vehicle - Next Generation Mobile Radiation Portal Monitor The information provided in response to this RFI may be used to: assess market capabilities; discover alternate or improved technologies or concepts; determine the technical maturity and commercial availability of potential solutions; and support future planning efforts to strengthen the vast Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA) with next generation radiation detection and identification technologies. 2.0 Performance Characteristics The system specifications are provided below: Relocatable Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) System - Shall employ both gamma and neutron detectors. - Shall scan objects or vehicles vertically at least thirteen (13) feet high. - Applies gamma spectroscopic features with user-settable menu for ID or categorization versus alert. - Shall be capable of discriminating NORM from non-NORM sources. - Wireless annunciator for alert colors; operate in the vehicle or up to 50 feet away. - Control software to monitor multiple units in the same area. Please explain whether the system uses cable or wireless protocols. - Alert when non-NORM sources and threats are detected/categorized by the system. - Occupancy sensors required to accurately identify the alarming vehicle (unless a technology has been identified that does not require occupancy sensors). - Shall be able to operate in -30'C to +55'C (-22'F to 131'F). - Shall require minimal start up time when starting up within the operating temperatures [preferably no more than five (5) minutes]. - Shall require minimal set up time at a new location [preferably no more than fifteen (15) minutes]. - Shall be able to minimize background corruption from radiation sources (NORM or otherwise) moving into the surrounding area. - Shall be self-calibrating on a continual basis. - Shall be able to wirelessly report state of health to a centralized network. - Must be at least Windows 7 compliant. - Shall wirelessly send daily scan statistics to a centralized network for archiving purposes. - Shall be NIEM 25 compliant - Shall be ANSI N42.42 compliant - Does not require a Commercial Driver's License. Radiation Detection/Identification (or Categorization) Vehicle - Shall employ both gamma and neutron detectors. - Shall operate in a stationary or mobile scanning mode. - Shall scan objects or vehicles vertically at least nine (9) feet. The viewing angle should be adjustable. - Applies gamma spectroscopic features with a user-settable menu for ID or categorization versus alert. - Shall be capable of discriminating NORM from non-NORM sources. - Shall fit into an SUV or van; specify the vehicles that can be used. - Shall require minimal modification to the SUV or van; specify what modifications, if any, are required. - Shall be able to move the detector subsystem (on board computer, radiation detector system, and any peripheral equipment) from one vehicle to another in a reasonable period of time and with minimal effort. - Shall be able to operate in -30'C to +55'C (-22'F to 131'F). - System shall be able to be stored in the vehicle with a temperature range of -30'C to +80'C (-22'F to 176'F). - Shall require minimal start up time when starting up within the operating temperatures [preferably no more than five (5) minutes]. - At a minimum, the system shall use one-sided detection (driver's side strongly preferred). If options or variants for multi-sided detection, please specify. - Wireless annunciator for alert colors; operate in the vehicle or up to 50 feet away. - Ability to plug into a standard 110V/220V (110 V preferred) outlet to power on board computer, radiation detector system, and any peripheral equipment (in stationary mode). - Track, via GPS, the path and alerts (mobile mode). - System shall be able to link two units together as a two-sided drive-thru portal (in stationary mode), i.e. data from both sides shall be wirelessly linked together to determine alarm status. - Driver's side high definition quality, pan-tilt-zoom camera to capture vehicle images for alerts. - For stationary mode, the system shall have an optimal light rig for night/low light operations. - System shall operate off of the vehicle power and may also have a separate battery. - Control software to monitor multiple units in the same area. Please explain whether the system uses cable or wireless protocols. - Alert when non-NORM sources and threats are detected/categorized by the system. - Occupancy sensors required to accurately identify the alarming vehicle. (unless a technology has been identified that does not require occupancy sensors). - Shall be self-calibrating on a continual basis. - Shall be able to wirelessly report state of health to a centralized network. - Must be at least Windows 7 compliant. - System shall wirelessly send daily scan statistics to a centralized network for archiving purposes. - Shall be NIEM 25 compliant. - Shall be ANSI N42.42 compliant - Does not require a Commercial Driver's License. Next Generation Mobile RPM - Shall employ both gamma and neutron detectors. - Shall scan objects or vehicles vertically at least thirteen (13) feet high. - Applies gamma spectroscopic features with user-settable menu for ID or categorization versus alert. - Shall be capable of discriminating NORM from non-NORM sources. - Wireless annunciator for alert colors; operate in the vehicle or up to 50 feet away. - Control software to monitor multiple units in the same area. Please explain whether the system uses cable or wireless protocols. - Alert when non-NORM sources and threats are detected/categorized by the system. - Occupancy sensors required to accurately identify the alarming vehicle (unless a technology has been identified that does not require occupancy sensors). - Shall operate in a stationary or mobile scanning mode. - Does not require a Commercial Driver's License. - Shall be able to operate in -30'C to +55'C (-22'F to 131'F). - System shall be able to be stored in the vehicle with a temperature range of -30'C to +80'C (-22'F to 176'F). - Must not exceed normal tractor/trailer height. - Shall be self-calibrating on a continual basis. - Shall be able to wirelessly report state of health to a centralized network. - Must be at least Windows 7 compliant. - System shall wirelessly send daily scan statistics to a centralized network for archiving purposes. - A Radiation Isotope Identification Device (RIID) shall be able to be connected to the system and match radiation spectra from the RIID to the corresponding alarm. - Shall be NIEM 25 compliant. - Shall be ANSI N42.42 compliant. DNDO is interested in commercially available/ Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions and/or modified COTS solutions which will effectively and efficiently perform radiation detection and identification and categorize the type of radiation (e.g., neutron, medical, industrial, Special Nuclear Material (SNM), Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), and/or radionuclide identification). Since DHS/DNDO will not provide any helium-3 based on our policy released in May 2014 (i.e., https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/DNDOHe3/listing.html ) , it is recommended that responders should not offer a solution using helium-3 based neutron detectors unless the helium-3 is coming from the vendor's supply. 3.0 Submission Requirements Please include the following in the RFI response: (1) Provide a general description of the system. Include a list of system physical components, nomenclature, picture/representation of the system, user interface, and model number, as appropriate. Please make note of any special components and a discussion on the software maturity level (e.g., N42.42 and N.25 NIEM compliancy). (2) Explain how the system will be operated in the field (i.e., proposed conduct/concept of operations) to include the number and type of personnel needed to execute operations, and how alarms may be adjudicated. (3) Describe the technology being proposed. Include characteristics and capabilities of the technology, including: gamma detector and energy range; neutron detector; detection and identification modes; library of radionuclides; wireless communication; remote monitoring; and compliance with ANSI standard 42.35 or 42.38 as appropriate. (4) Describe the radionuclide identification algorithm or the detection/categorization algorithm. Include: - Algorithm description and performance range - Integration times for gamma and neutron detectors - Expected false alarm rate (e.g., NORM rejection and statistical false alarms) - Algorithm validation performed - Description of replay tools (5) Describe the neutron radiation detection capability, including type of material and size/volume. Note: Since DHS/DNDO will not provide any helium-3, it is recommended that responders should not offer a solution using helium-3 based neutron detectors unless the helium-3 is coming from the vendor's supply. (6) Describe the data file storage and transmission capability. (7) Describe the overall maintenance strategy. (8) If available, include supplementary information such as: - The system's user manual, if one exists - Any test reports, whether government-sponsored or private, if available - Any other information that would be applicable to the intent of this RFI (9) Include the following business information with your submission: -DUNS Number -CAGE Code -Applicable NAICS code(s) -Socioeconomic Category 4.0 Instructions DNDO appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources, including but not limited to, private or public companies, universities, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and national laboratories. For clarification purposes ONLY, DNDO may request oral presentation sessions from respondents, after receipt and initial evaluation of written responses. Responses to this RFI, in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF, are due no later than 45 days from the date of release by 4:30 PM (local Eastern Time) 2015. Please e-mail responses to Christopher Wallis, Contracting Officer, at christopher.wallis@hq.dhs.gov and Camille Murray, Contract Specialist at camille.murray@hq.dhs.gov. DNDO reserves the right to review late submissions, but makes no guarantee to the order of or possibility for review of late submissions. Please be advised that all submissions become the property of DNDO and will not be returned. Responses to this RFI may be evaluated by Government technical experts drawn from staff within DNDO and other Federal agencies. The Government may use selected support contractor personnel to assist in the review of RFI responses. These support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary and source selection information.