--Requesting technology information for advanced biological identifier technologies for the Joint Biological Tactical Detector System (JBTDS)

This is a request for information only. This is not a solicitation announcement or request for proposal. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Joint Product Director for Advanced Detection System (JPD-ADS) under Joint Program Manager for Biological Defense (JPM-BD) is seeking market research, potential sources, and best practice information for battery-operable and one man portable biological IDENTIFICATION technologies for use with samples collected and/or concentrated by environmental aerosol samplers of the Joint Biological Tactical Detection System (JBTDS). Vendors both domestic and international are encouraged to respond. PART I Technical Criteria. The Identifier should demonstrate a probability of correct identification of at least 0.98 with false identification rate of less than 2%, accept liquid samples, and provide a species-based identification of Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs) that includes bacteria, viruses, and toxins within one (1) hour from time of sample introduction. Technologies at Technology Readiness Level 6 and higher are of interest in preparation for Increment 1 of the JBTDS program. Other features of interest are as follows: " Identifier along with tactical carry case and 24 hours of consumables (including battery) shall weigh less than 37 lbs. " Capability to automatically conduct built-in test (BIT) " Provide on-board, audio and visual alarms " Operate from Standard Rechargeable and Non-rechargeable Military Batteries, and maintains power (50-60 Hz, 110-120 VAC) for up to eight (8) hours of continuous operation. " (Operator) Set up time: less than 5 minutes (from tactical carry configuration to last operator action required prior to sample introduction) " Start up time: less than 10 minutes (from power on for the system to warm up and be functionally and operationally ready to receive sample) " Simplistic requiring minimal training and maintenance " Minimal to no use of reagents/consumables: o Reagent/Shelf-life of three (3) years at 40oF, one (10 year at 75oF, six (6) weeks at 140oF " Storage Temperature between -38 o F to 125 o F " Environmental testing and hardening. (underway or completed). " Network capable. PART II - Submission of Information. Vendors desiring to respond to this request should provide a white paper as follows: White Paper: Limit the number of pages to ten (10) total (Times New Roman, Font 12, one (1) inch margins) excluding cover and photos included separately. Describe identifier technologies used, current state of technology and capabilities to meet criteria stated in Part I. Describe tests completed, current assay limits of identification, power sources used and adaptable to, cubic dimensions (inches), weight in lbs of identifier, weight of battery & weight of 24 hours of consumables, and any current commercial applications. Describe step by step start up operation and operator level of knowledge required, sample process introduction, state names and quantities of recurring maintenance supplies/consumables needed, provide a cost of system as presently configured and photographs of complete system and components. Two (2) paper copies of the white paper and one (1) electronic copy; plus one (1) paper copy and an electronic copy of photos are required. To be responsive to this announcement, vendors must supply their information as requested in writing by 15 July 2008 to U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM), 5183 Blackhawk Road, ATTN: AMSRD-ECB-RT-DE (Daniel M. Nowak), Building E3326, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010. Concurrently, an electronic copy of each document should be placed in this Drop Box: Access to the ECBC Drop Box is as follows and good from any Browser https://dropbox.apgea.army.mil/cgi-bin/dropbox.pl. The recipient email address for the Drop Box is contact@example.gov. ONLY PDF FORMAT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR INFORMATION SUBMITTED. Your files will have a special prefix designation of RFI ID08, followed by your company name, and then the name of the file. For example: RFI ID08_ONI-Art_white paper.pdf. DO NOT use blank spaces in the file name and the file name is not character sensitive. Electronic submissions will be accepted, but not in place of the written submissions. Vendors are requested to provide the name of the Contact Person for their company, telephone number, FAX number, email and complete address with each submission of data. The U.S. Army is under no obligation to select any participating technologies. RFI ID08 will offer participants an opportunity to provide unique technology information about their identifier system to JPM-BD/JPD-ADS.