Standoff Diagnostic Technologies for (Surface) Unexploded Explosive Ordnance and Improvised Explosive Devices

This Request for Information (RFI) neither constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government from an ultimate acquisition approach. This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. The U.S. Government is not obligated to provide respondents with any type of response. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the U.S. Government. This is not a solicitation for goods or services. If such a solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this RFI.

Background:

While Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams currently utilize x-ray and other diagnostic capabilities, deployed either directly by technicians or remotely via unmanned systems (UxS), these methods have limitations. Direct deployment requires technicians to approach the suspected device closely, increasing their exposure to hazards. Remote UxS deployment can be difficult, often requiring system reconfiguration and limited maneuverability near the target.

Current systems may confirm the presence of components or hazards, but seldom determine their operational status. The ability to determine the operational status of Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO) and other hazards such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is one of the primary objectives of advanced diagnostic capabilities sought here.  A second objective of this RFI is to identify diagnostic tools capable of operation at safe, standoff distances. Finally, though no less paramount, is the improved ability to diagnose munitions which may employ a wide range of initiation sensors and components.  Such may include disturbance sensors (e.g., magnetic, seismic, infrared, acoustic), electronic timers, long wires, tripwires, and pressure plates among others.

The advanced diagnostic capabilities discussed here necessitate the need for:

• Advanced sensor sets: Technologies for standoff detection, identification, and assessment of explosive hazards and presumptive fuze functioning.
• Enhanced data analysis capabilities: Software and hardware to process sensor data quickly, accurately, and agnostic to the type of threat and initiation components.

Description and Requested Information:

The primary mission of Department of War (DoW) EOD forces is to provide combat support to the Joint Force, enable access to areas denied by explosive ordnance (EO), and facilitate operational movement, maneuver, and situational awareness. EOD Technicians require the capability to quickly evaluate and diagnose UXOs and other hazards such as IEDs at safe distances, to include devices that are equipped with sophisticated sensor technologies. The ability to further classify these hazards, determine functionality and operational viability as well as to develop an increasingly accurate threat understanding at a safe distance is critical to enhancing their ability to (1) effectively neutralize modern threats and (2) execute appropriate courses of action, render safe and disposal procedures.

For the purposes of this RFI, diagnose is defined as the act of analyzing the hazard and determining the functionality of the device, substance, materials, or munition to include identification and/or condition. Diagnose activities include on-site investigation, careful observation, thorough analysis of accumulated data, and contextual evaluation of the circumstances.

The Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Center (EODTECHCEN) is assessing the overall market, readiness and capability of standoff diagnose technologies for surface EO and explosive device diagnostics. In particular, the EODTECHCEN is in search of non-invasive tools (technologies) that can diagnose EO and explosive devices at standoff distances of 3 ft and beyond, positioning technicians and equipment outside the potential or identified threat zone. For purposes of this RFI, standoff is defined as the distance between the tool and the suspect threat. Ideal technologies should be capable of enabling relatively swift diagnoses and ascertainment of the operational status of explosive ordnance/hazards to determine: (1) armed and unarmed or hazardous and nonhazardous conditions, (2) battery storage or charge level, (3) associated primary or secondary hazards, (4) fuze functioning, and (5) the inherent threat.

Unless equipped with enhanced or novel diagnostic capability, conventional EOD radiographic technologies are expressly excluded from consideration from this RFI. Furthermore, all emerging capabilities below DoW Technology Readiness Level 5 are also excluded from consideration.

This RFI is open to all relevant industry, academic and government entities. Information is requested regarding the full functionality and capabilities of each standoff diagnostic technology available, or soon to be available, on the marketplace.

Respondents shall provide the following additional desired information, as applicable:

• Description of the technology, to include pictures, dimensions, power requirements, and any operational or environmental limitations
• Basis for asserting improved UXO/IED diagnostics, to include performance metrics (projected or realized)
• Proposed operational context
• System cost and availability
• Availability of data packages and test reports, to include appropriate POCs

Submissions:

Submissions are limited to five pages or less, using standard letter size pages (8 ½” x 11”) and 12-point Times New Roman font (or comparable).

In addition to the technical information above, all submissions shall include the organization’s name, postal address, technical point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, relevant webpage(s) URL, as well as business size, taxpayer identification number, DUNS number, and CAGE Code, where applicable.

This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute any type of commitment by the U.S. Government. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published.

** Each submission shall be transmitted electronically no later than 30 days from the date of posting to the following points of contact:

• Alfred Wooten at alfred.j.wooten.civ@us.navy.mil
• Eric Dorsey at eric.r.dorsey2.civ@us.navy.mil
• Michael Shepard at michael.r.shepard12.civ@us.navy.mil
• Jessica Quell at jessica.h.quell.civ@us.navy.mil