RFI JPM CBRN SOF Seeking Advanced Radiological Identification Systems (ARIS)

Request for Information: CPE CBRND Seeking Advanced Radiological Identification Systems

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY

This RFI is issued solely for market research, information, and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP)/Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFP/RFQ in the future. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government (USG) to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the USG will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the USG. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP/RFQ, if any is issued.

1.0 BACKGROUND

The Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense’s (CPE CBRND) Joint Project Manager for CBRN Special Operations Forces (JPM CBRN SOF), located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, delivers and enables integrated, interoperable, and rapidly deployable CBRN defense capabilities for the Joint Force across Combined Joint All-Domain Operations. JPM CBRN SOF equips our nation’s elite Special Operations warfighters with advanced technologies to operate safely and effectively in CBRN-contested environments worldwide. To support this mission and plan for upcoming capability enhancements, JPM CBRN SOF is conducting comprehensive market research to support a new initiative. This upcoming program represents a key effort to rapidly evaluate, procure, and field mature CBRND equipment directly to operators to meet evolving field requirements.

2.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this RFI is to conduct a comprehensive market survey to identify and analyze mature commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and government off-the-shelf (GOTS) technologies that provide radiological identification capabilities. JPM CBRN SOF is casting a wide net across the defense, commercial, and scientific industries to discover best-of-breed solutions, and the findings from this RFI will be utilized to compile a master list of candidate systems. Working closely with our stakeholders, JPM CBRN SOF will down-select a subset of these systems to undergo government-supported claims testing, laboratory evaluation, and operator-in-the-loop experimentation. Selected systems and industry partners must be prepared to physically demonstrate and provide their technologies for operator evaluation at a virtual or in person Industry Day targeted for Fall 2026.

3.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Interested parties are invited to submit information on technologies that align with the following operational parameters and high-level system characteristics:

• Primary Capability: Systems must rapidly and accurately detect, locate, and identify radiological isotopes in real time with the ability to discriminate between Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), legitimate medical/industrial, and potential isotopic threats.
• Operationally Relevant Performance: Systems must demonstrate high sensitivity and a low false-alarm rate in varied environmental conditions (e.g., temperature extremes, humidity, dust, vibrations) commonly encountered in tactical operations.
• Ruggedization and Environmental Hardening: The system must be durable and reliable. Preference will be given to technologies that have obtained or are designed to meet military standards for environmental testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810)
• Form Factors: JPM CBRN SOF is receptive to all innovative form factors and concepts, including, but not limited to, handheld point-and-shoot detectors, standoff detectors, optical sensors, and algorithm- or mobile app-based solutions. Desired characteristics include:
• Low-profile, non-obtrusive systems for covert or low-visibility operations.
• Standoff detection capabilities (minimum 5 meters).
• Rapid Procurement and Availability: Candidate technologies must be mature and readily available for near-term procurement (within 12 months) to align with upcoming fielding timelines.
• Domestic Manufacturing (Made in America): To comply with federal policies, the proposed system and its critical components must be manufactured within the United States.
• End-User Acceptability: Solutions must prioritize usability, weight reduction, intuitive user interfaces, and operational effectiveness for expeditionary operations with a primary focus on dismounted missions.

Target System Maturity

• Near-Developed Capabilities: Vendors with fielded, commercially available systems (COTS/GOTS) or near-developed technologies at a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL 7-9) that will be on the market within the next 1-2 years are encouraged to submit a response to support near-term fielding requirements.
• Developmental Technologies: Early-stage prototypes, conceptual designs, or low-maturity systems (TRL 1-6) may be of interest for mapping future capability pipelines, though they will not be immediately actionable for upcoming procurement cycles.

4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION / QUESTIONNAIRE

Respondents are requested to submit an information paper answering the following questionnaire to help the USG assess system capabilities, maturity, and manufacturing readiness:

• Product Specifications, Physical Dimensions and SWaP:
   
• Form Factor and Mechanics: Describe the system's form factor, power requirements, and underlying detection/identification mechanics.
• Physical Specifications: Specify the total weight of the device in pounds (including batteries) and its physical dimensions (Height x Width x Depth in inches).
• Primary Gamma Detector Crystal: Specify the chemical composition, physical dimensions, and volume of the primary gamma detection crystal.
• Neutron Detection Capabilities: Specify if the device includes an integrated neutron detector. Detail the detection technology used and its thermal neutron sensitivity.
• Wireless Interfaces and Emission Controls: List all integrated wireless interfaces and built-in alert notifications. State if there is a physical hardware switch or a dedicated 'silent/stealth mode' to completely disable all notifications and radio frequency (RF) emissions.
• Connectivity and Interoperability: Specify if the device supports operation in a completely offline/air-gapped configuration.
• Performance, Calibration and Detection Capability:
• Detection and Identification: Detail the system's sensitivity, response time, and the specific isotopes it can identify. List the isotope libraries used for identification.
• Spectral Resolution: List the spectral resolution of the proposed device (e.g., FWHM at 662 keV).
• Energy Calibration and Temperature Stabilization: Describe the technology used for continuous energy calibration and temperature stabilization.
• High Dose Rate Measurement: Detail how the system measures high dose rates when the primary crystal is saturated (e.g. Geiger-Mueller tube or silicon PIN diode). Specify the maximum measurable dose rate.
• Operator Interface and Data: Describe the operator interface (including glove compatibility and high-contrast display capabilities) and ease of data export.
• Data Export and Integration Mechanisms: Describe the mechanisms available to export radiation spectra, isotope-identification results, alarms, does measurements, timestamps, event logs, etc.
• System Maturity (TRL): State the current TRL of the system. Provide its operational history, including commercial sales volume and existing deployments with military or federal agencies.
• Domestic Manufacturing: Confirm compliance with the Made in America Act. Detail where the system and its critical components are manufactured and identify any foreign supply chain dependencies.
• Production and Delivery: State standard lead times and your company's production capacity to support near-term rapid procurements.
• Sustainment and Maintenance: Outline the maintenance and calibration frequency intervals, required operator training, and any required consumables (e.g., calibrants) or support equipment.
• Environmental Characteristics: Specify temperature, humidity and altitude ranges for device in modes of operation, storage and transit.
• Ruggedness: Identify specific methods and procedures of which the product has been evaluated against via MIL-STD-810 (e.g., shock/impact resistance, rain/dust exposure, etc.),
• Operating Constraints: Specify any environmental conditions that could cause degraded isotope identification, increased false alarms, or reduced sensitivity.
• Technology Pipeline: Detail any next-generation variants or product upgrades in your pipeline scheduled for commercial release over the next 1 to 2 years.
• Data Rights: Specify the technical data rights (unlimited, limited, or proprietary) your company would assert if this system were purchased by the USG.

5.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Submissions must be complete and adhere to the following formatting and content rules:

• Page Limit: Response packages shall not exceed ten (10) pages in length (excluding covers, standard product brochures, or test reports).
• Formatting: Standard 8.5 x 11-inch pages, with normal margins and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
• Company Information: Include official company name, address, telephone number, website, and business type (large/small business classification).
• Point of Contact: Provide the name, title, telephone number, and email address of the authorized company representative.
• Questionnaire Responses: Fully address all questions listed in Section 4.0.
• Information Sensitivity: DO NOT submit any confidential or proprietary information. Please save any classified or proprietary information for any subsequent or follow-on engagements.

6.0 SUBMISSION GUIDANCE

To ensure all submissions are formally tracked, processed, and routed to the appropriate programmatic stakeholders, please submit responses electronically through the Joint Enterprise Technology Tool (JETT). No email submissions of RFI response packages will be accepted. JETT is intended only for publicly releasable information and is not suitable for proprietary or trade‑secret material. Any such content should be reserved for follow‑on CPE CBRND industry engagements or other designated secure venues. Please follow these steps to submit your response packet:

• Access the JETT platform homepage at https://jacks.jpeocbrnd.army.mil/JETT.
• If you do not have an active JETT account, select the option to register and complete the email verification. Please allow up to 24 hours for account access approval.
• Once logged in, select "Respond to an RFI".
• Enter the specific RFI Notice ID for this opportunity to ensure your submission is linked correctly.
• Complete the online questionnaire and upload your official RFI response as a single, compiled PDF file.

Submission Deadline: Responses are requested no later than 05 October 2026, at 4:00 PM EDT. Late submissions may not be reviewed or considered for the down-selection process for the Fall Industry Day.