Specialized Security Training

Request for Information The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 10, Market Research. No solicitation is available at this time. TSA is issuing this RFI for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Training and Workforce Engagement (OTWE) is conducting market research for the purposes of identifying businesses who have demonstrated highly specialized or advanced capabilities in Specialized Security or Technical Training, X-Ray Training Simulation, Curriculum Development, Training kits, and Computer based training programs for threat image interpretation. The Contractor must create, provide, and deliver training kits, physical training aids, and specialized materials to enhance a Transportation Security Officer's (TSO) skills and abilities to identify threat items, including Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and its components, explosives, and weapons. I. DESCRIPTION Background: The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA, Public Law 107-71) requires TSA to develop, implement, and manage training programs for their transportation security workforce. The mission of the Specialized Security Training (SST) program is to ensure continuation of vital training services needed by TSA to support initial and recurring specialized security training and to respond in a timely manner to security training needs related to emerging technologies and new threats. TSA's workforce is geographically dispersed at more than 450 airports and offices throughout the nation. The TSO population is hired through local processes at over 130 geographically dispersed hiring locations on a two-week hiring cycle. Approximately between 7,000 and 14,000 new TSOs are hired each year. Other key specialized training include: Regulatory Enforcement and Compliance, Explosives Specialists and Behavior Detection Officers. The SST program is a centralized, threat-based program that is required to provide both initial and recurrent training and assessments to TSA employees, including over 45,000 security officers, based on the standard operating procedures and screening equipment used at the passenger and baggage checkpoints. The SST program involves instructor-led and computer-based training, including threat image simulation based training and testing on a variety of x-ray and other detection equipment types. The SST program currently uses the following software simulator technologies: 1) For checkpoint- Perkin-Elmer (LS110-1) TRX; L-3 Phase II (LS-110-II) TRX; Rapiscan (520 series) TRX; Smiths Heimann TRX; Rapiscan AT; Smits AT; L3 AT 2) For checked baggage- L3 3DX 6000/6600; CTX 2500; CTX 5500; CTX 9000; CTX 9400; CT-80; CT-80 DR 3) Emerging Technology for checked baggage- CT-80 DR+ The SST program currently consists of: 1) developing curricula, training tools, and materials; 2) plans and schedules training courses; 3) delivers training through classroom led instruction, laboratories and other methods; and 4) conducts assessments and evaluations to determine the effectiveness of training programs and instructor performance. Training categories include: passenger and baggage screening operations; explosive detection canine handler; regulatory enforcement and compliance; and, specialized technical training for explosives specialists and behavior detection officers. Additionally, the SST program provides logistics and training operational support for agency conducted and sponsored training, and is responsible for developing and fielding training related technologies and tools required to meet agency security training requirements. Beyond meeting these minimum current operational requirements, the development and delivery of training provided by the SST program must be able to: 1) keep pace with a changing threat environment; 2) accommodate different student populations; 3) incorporate new screening tools, techniques and procedures that become available; and 4) provide additional training that may become necessary to support effective security operations across additional modes of transportation. Objective: TSA is requesting information and conducting market research for the SST program through this RFI to identify and provide TSA with the latest available and emerging training methodologies and technology for training TSA employees, including Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), inspectors, and other security workforce for improved mission performance. II. REQUIREMENTS 1. The SST program is designed to respond quickly to the Government's needs in a dynamic and evolving environment. The SST program currently provides the following elements: - Program Management and Systems Integration - Curriculum Analysis, Design, Development and Maintenance - Curriculum Delivery/Instruction - Evaluation of Curriculum - Program Operations and Logistical Support - Training Aids and tools Development and Maintenance (includes threat image development and image simulation) - Distributed Learning/ Communications Network Support 2. Respondents will provide TSA with a nationwide approach to delivering a highly skilled and professionally trained security workforce by providing: - World-class, state-of-the-art security training in a cost effective manner; - Flexibility in the type, location and timing of training; - Implementing emerging state of the art training technology, and - Risk-based solutions. Currently, security training is available mainly in a classroom setting or through a controlled computer environment. TSA is interested in innovative solutions for the entire SST program that will provide cost savings and location flexibility (e.g. usage of tablets, social media, cloud systems, e-learning classes, synchronous learning using conferencing software). 3. The following are topics are of interest to the TSA, and should be considered when constructing a response: A. Curriculum Development: - Developing and maintaining basic, advanced, and recurrent security training that enables the Transportation Security Officer and other members of the TSA workforce to perform their duties in executing the agency's counterterrorism mission in the commercial aviation domain. - Involves broad range of training strategies to include: ? Instructor-led ? Web-Based Training ? Computer Based Training ? Video-DVD - Training in procedures and technologies required for proper execution of defined TSA Procedures. B. Threat Mitigation Imaging and Engineering: - Develop and deliver technical training on emerging and next generation screening technologies (Analogic XLB, L3 SX, Reveal CT-80 DR), including easily scalable robust simulator platform(s). This function includes technology simulators; computer based training programs for image interpretation. - Develop and deliver training kits, physical training aids and specialized materials to enhance a security officer's skills and abilities to identify threat items, IED and components, explosives, and weapons. Examples of training kits include Bomb Kits, Improvised Explosive Device Kits, Liquid Explosives Kits, Metal Detector Kits, Generic Weapons Kits, and Advanced Imaging Technology Kits. - Provide innovative technology for image capture and image simulation (e.g. client server configuration, dual monitor hardware configuration, variable opacity for all image analysis views). C. Program Management, Integration and Logistics: - Provide and identify efficiencies for over-arching program management and integration across all requirements. - Provide and identify efficiencies for providing timely logistical support for training classes, shipping of training aids and materials, and facility management. - Provide instructors to deliver curriculum for specialized security training to the entire TSA Security Workforce III. RESPONSES TO THIS RFI TSA invites vendors to provide capability statements or white papers with information on highly specialized or advanced capabilities of technologies and current industry solutions for the SST program. The following sections provide a recommended outline for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government. 1. Vendor Information: A. Company Name, Cage Code, TIN, DUNs. Please affirm that your company is registered or is willing to register with the System for Award Management. B. Company's Technical and Contracting Points of Contact (POC's). Please provide the email addresses and phone numbers for these POC's; C. Please provide any other Government or Commercial contracts held for this type of effort and which are of a similar scope and complexity. Please specify the Total Dollar value and if you were the Prime or a Subcontractor. 2. A Capability Statement that describes how your company will meet the requirements and objectives as stated in this RFI Notice, and how your firm demonstrates highly specialized or advanced capabilities in Specialized Security or Technical Training, X-Ray Training Simulation, Curriculum Development, Training kits, and Computer based training programs for threat image interpretation. 3. Product Information for any proposed systems and solutions: a) Whether the solution is proprietary, commercially available (licensed), or Government owned. IV. INFORMATION EXCHANGE MEETINGS The TSA may, at the agency's sole discretion, hold a technical information exchange meeting with respondent(s) after reviewing vendor responses. The intent of this meeting is a focus on industry experiences related to a solution development/design - including processes and methodologies, technical solutions, best practices and lessons learned, associated cost, risks, and programmatic benefits. As part of the technical information exchange meeting, The TSA may, at the agency's sole discretion, request a demonstration, or additional information related to, a vendor's submission. This demonstration may be a short demonstration at the vendor's facility, an extended demonstration at the TSA offices and/or airport. TSA may require the vendor to enter into a bailment agreement, at no cost to the Government, prior to a demonstration. If the TSA elects to hold a technical information exchange meeting(s) with respondent(s), TSA will notify the respondent(s) directly, but no additional information is planned to be posted on the GPE about the meeting, or this RFI Notice. V. REVIEW OF VENDOR RESPONSES The Government will review vendor responses for market research purposes only. The Government does not intend to provide a response to white papers submitted for this RFI, but based on vendor submissions; the Government may potentially request a technical information exchange meeting, demonstration, and/or pilot of proposed solutions to further future requirements definition. Responses to the RFI will not be returned, and will become property of the Government. Please be notified that may have its current associate contractor(s) assist in reviewing industry information provided in response to this market research request. VI. DISCLAIMER This RFI does not represent an official Acquisition Plan, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to any course of action in the future. This RFI is intended solely for market research, planning, and information purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited or provided hereunder. Each respondent, by submitting a response to this RFI, agrees that any cost incurred by it in responding to this request or in support of activities associated with this RFI shall be the sole responsibility of respondent. The Government shall incur no obligations or liabilities whatsoever, to anyone, for any costs or expenses incurred by the respondent in responding to this RFI. VII. VENDOR SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES AND CONTACT INFORMATION Written Responses shall be prepared using "Times New Roman" 12 point font, 1 inch margins, and 8.5" by 11" paper. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font style not less than 10 point. All material submitted must be single-spaced. Electronic responses to this market research request are encouraged. Responses are limited to 8MB and no more than 10 pages in size. Responses shall not exceed ten (10) pages in length, including all images, data displays, charts graphs and tables. The submission of standard marketing material is acceptable but will be considered in the page length. Electronic responses are encouraged using WinZip software. All submissions shall include the title, "Specialized Security Training - Request for Information Response" in the subject line of the e-mail. The WinZip password shall be submitted under a separate e-mail by the aforementioned date and time. Please note: there is not a character length or mixed case requirement imposed on your password. Responses will be accepted on a rolling basis, with the first cut-off for responses to be submitted no later than 2:00 pm ET on Thursday November 14, 2013, and the second cut-off for responses to be submitted no later than 2:00 pm ET on Tuesday November 26, 2013. Any responses submitted after the first or second response date/time may be considered on a bi-annual basis, time permitting, or at the Government's discretion. Respondents must submit their information to Melisa Hoffman at Melisa.Hoffman@ole.tsa.dhs.gov in either read-only Word or PDF format. Please contact Melisa Hoffman via e-mail (No telephone calls please), should you have any questions related to this RFI Notice. Answers to questions may be posted via FedBizOpps, and therefore, should not contain any information that a respondent would not want widely disseminated. VIII. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS and DHS/TSA SPECIFIC TERMS & CONDITIONS: All products/services considered by TSA must be able to conform to all policies and procedures governing physical, environmental, and information security described in various TSA/DHS regulations pertaining thereto. These TSA/DHS policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards include, but are not limited to: - DHS 4300A Sensitive Systems Handbook - TSA MD 1400.3, IT Security Policy Handbook and Technical Standards - DHS IT Security Architecture Guidance Volumes 1, 2 and 3 - DHS/TSA Systems Engineering Lifecycle (SELC) - H.5200.224.001 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION - H.5201.209.001 SUITABILITY DETERMINATION FOR CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES - H.2400.224.001 SECURITY OF SYSTEMS HANDLING PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION AND PRIVACY INCIDENT REPONSE - H-0403.241.001 SPECIAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONTRACT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS