Request for Information - Reactive-Chemistry Orethogonal Surface and Environmental Threat Ticket Array (ROSETTA) 2

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO CBRND), Joint Project Manager Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Sensors (JPM CBRN SENSORS), Joint Product Director Office for Chemical Sensors (JPD CHEM SENSORS) 1.0 Description 1.1 The JPD CHEMICAL SENSORS office is seeking information on how an interested party could produce colorimetric sensors for the detection of gas-phase chemical warfare agents (CWA). 1.2 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) / Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) or a promise to issue an RFP/RPP in the future. This Request for Information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Interested parties are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs 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/RPP, if any are issued. 2.0 Background The JPD CHEMICAL SENSORS office seeks to modernize the current M256 Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) vapor detector. The vapor detector is used to support troops unmasking after having been in CWA contaminated area. The desired M256 CWA vapor detector will be able to detect to the same low level agent concentrations, but detect CWA in under 5 min and without any sample preparation. Additionally, it is desirable to have a solution that will produce a color change that is eye readable. The JPD CHEMICAL SENSORS office is requesting additional information from parties with potential solutions describing their capability to detect CWA to the appropriate level. The information acquired from this RFI will be used to understand the current industrial capabilities. The M256 was first fielded in 1974. The objective of the vapor detector remains the same, detection of CWA vapors at levels that are safe for warfighter to unmask and remove other personal protective equipment used in a CWA vapor environment. This modernization seeks to simplify and improve the detection for CWA vapor. While the optimal solution is to find a system that requires neither sample preparation or any pumps or readers, the government is interested in any system including those that may require pumps and readers that is smaller than 4" x 3" x 2" (objective 3" x 2" x 1") and weighs less than 8 oz. (objective less than 2 oz.). The M256 vapor detector will be used by the general forces to determine after exposure to a CWA vapor if it is safe to unmask and remove other PPE. The system needs to perform in environmental conditions from -20 to 55 C and from 10-95% RH. The system will be small light weight and faster responding than the current M256A2 vapor detector. a. The system will detect all agents vapors at or below these levels (Nerve agents: 0.005 mg/m3, Blister agents: 2.0 and choking and blood agents 8.0 mg/m3) with a detection time of 5 min with an objective of 30 seconds. 3.0 Requested Information The JPD CHEMICAL SENSORS office is seeking: test reports and other documentations relevant to sensor development and potential prototypes systems. The system should have data from either CWA detection or simulant detection. The prototype systems should describe detection methodology, the probability of detection, false alarm probability, dimensions, power requirements and software needed to operate. The systems should be at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above. If the development has been funded in the past by the federal government, including Small Business Innovations in Research, please indicate the funding source, year awarded and project. 4.0 Responses 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 4.2 White papers in PDF compatible format are due no later than 22 Nov 2019, 21:00 PST. Responses shall be limited to 20 pages for Section 2 and submitted via e-mail only to louis.c.anderson.civ@mail.mil and channah.p.moise.civ@mail.mil. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 4.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 4.3.1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 4.3.2. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUB Zone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512. "Small business concern" means a concern, including its affiliates that are independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which they are bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, averaging no more than forty million dollars in annual receipts. Annual receipts of a concern that have been in business for 3 or more complete fiscal years means the annual average gross revenue of the concern taken for the last 3 fiscal years. Annual receipts of a concern that has been in business for less than 3 complete fiscal years means its total receipts for the period it has been in business, divided by the number of weeks including fractions of a week that it has been in business, and multiplied by 52. Responders are cautioned, however, that this is a general description only. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http://www.arnet.gov. 4.3.5 The facility security clearance of the offeror. The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper shall not be included in the 20-page limitation, i.e., the 20-page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper. 4.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the issues addressed in Section 3 of this RFI and shall be limited to 20 pages. 5.0 Industry Discussions JPD CHEMICAL SENSORS representatives may or may not choose to meet with responsive parties. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements. Opportunities to discuss this RFI will be available at the OTA General Membership Meeting in Rockville, MD on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. POC will be Louis C. Anderson. 6.0 Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, email address. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. 7.0 Summary THIS REQUEST IS FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY and purpose is to identify sources that can provide ROSETTA 2, a colorimetric sensors for the detection of gas-phase CWA. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The JPD CHEMICAL SENSORS office has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.