Request for Information (RFI) for Electronic Environmental and Device Characterization

Request for Information (RFI) for Electronic Environmental and Device Characterization The Combating Terrorism Division (RD-CXC) of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is soliciting capability statements from government, industry, and academia for high quality, innovative, and relevant advanced technologies capable of providing electronic environment and device characterization to support and supplement the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community's Render Safe Procedure (RSP) protocols. The end state is to develop a man-portable system capable of detecting and localizing intended and unintended radiofrequency (RF) emanations in an area of interest. Objectives of Electronic Environmental and Device Characterization There are situations where an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) may be in a place in which its detonation is unacceptable. There are a range of novel technologies that may be useful in preventing the remote detonation of the device. The objectives of this task are to understand the electrical nature of the device and its environment to allow EOD operators to make a rational decision on the next appropriate RSP action. The most preferred approach is to passively detect, identify, and map the environment, electronic components and circuitry and provide a determination of the state of the device, i.e armed or unarmed, without changing its state. The objectives below relate to the effectiveness, selectivity, and understanding of passively and actively detecting and mapping the electronic environment and the circuitry within target devices: - 1. Develop technologies that passively characterize the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum 6 MHz to 20 GHz and detect, localize and identify sources within the RF background to include but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) and WiFi networks devices. - 2. Develop technologies that passively detect, localize and identify components within an explosive device (with or without power applied to the device's circuitry) without changing its state. Of additional value are technologies that are capable of passively identifying the overall state of an explosive device, i.e. armed or unarmed. - 3. Develop technologies that actively detect, localize and identify components within an explosive device (with or without power applied to the device's circuitry) without changing its state. Of additional value are technologies that are capable of actively identifying the overall state of an explosive device, i.e. armed or unarmed. - 4. Develop technologies to do the above described characterization that are transportable in a standard convoy escort vehicle or, preferably, man-portable. Environmental and Device Characterization: Directly related to objectives 1 and 4 above. EOD operators must accurately detect, localize and identify all relevant RF energy in the operational environment as well as all RF energy entering and being emitted from the device. A successful proof of concept consists of a detailed RF spectrum analysis of: 1) the operational environment, and 2) the explosive device to include the localization and identification of detected sources. Passive Electronic Circuit and Component Detection: Directly related to objectives 2 and 4, above. RD-CXC seeks technologies capable of passively detecting, identifying, and mapping electronic components and circuitry within a target device and/or provide a determination of the state of the device without changing said state of the device. Active Electronic Circuit and Component Detection: Directly related to objectives 3 and 4, above. RD-CXC seeks technologies capable of actively detecting, identifying, and mapping electronic components and circuitry within a target device and/or provide a determination of the state of the device without changing said state of the device. Passive Interrogation of GSM, CDMA, and WiFi/WiMax networks. Directly related to objectives 1 and 4, above. The requirements are related to the effectiveness, selectivity, and understanding of applying the required techniques to selectively evaluate existing systems. Conduct a market survey of existing systems that provide interrogator-like capabilities for GSM, CDMA and WiFi/WiMax networks. Evaluate products and conduct in-depth technical exchanges between their engineering representatives and Operational Engineers (OEs). These exchanges will be utilized to determine overall system capability and feasibility of integrating their products into a single system. Develop a potential to build a mobile application on a world phone to scan these RF spectrums. This capability would be a complementary tool only as it would not be able to provide interrogation features. RD-CXC is most interested in government, industry, or academic entities that will have and maintain responsibility for the design, development, and assembly and/or fabrication of relevant technologies. Responders to the RFI may choose to address any or all of the listed objectives. Additionally, the risk that related supporting technologies are immature or incapable of allowing successful demonstration and deployment should be addressed. Approaches that require significant basic or applied research (i.e. RDT&E categories 6.1 and 6.2) are not desired. Responses shall be limited to no more than 10 pages, not including cover letter, cover page, and table of contents. Responses should include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) technology concept(s) and associated performances, cost, and risk parameters; (b) respondent's stated assumptions; (c) technology maturity and Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs); (d) cost drivers (not Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM), but activities identified to consume the majority of cost and labor resources), and (e) any other programmatic and technical information respondents deemed necessary to aid the government in its program planning, decision making, and execution. Upon review of all submissions in response to this RFI, DTRA may schedule individual meetings with any or all respondents to gain further understanding into their specific responses. Responses shall be submitted no later than 2 PM EDT on Friday, 18 February 2011 to DTRA Contracting Officer, Kathleen Jones at Kathleen.Jones@dtra.mil. All responses shall be transmitted electronically. Submissions shall be compatible with and accessible using Microsoft office software applications. Additional Information: There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, to make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties in support of any effort in response to this RFI. Any information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary. This RFI is for information planning purposes and the Government will not pay or otherwise reimburse respondents for information submitted. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor this site for the release of any follow-on information. All documentation shall become the property of the Government. Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional information is available and requests for the same will be disregarded.