Trace Detection System

Seeking Sources of Trace Detection Systems Capable of Detecting Explosive Vapors for Comparative Test and Evaluation This is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN). This announcement serves to survey product availability. This synopsis neither constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government from an ultimate acquisition approach. This synopsis should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any input as a result of this market survey. The U.S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this sources sought. This is not a formal solicitation. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this sources sought. The detection of explosives is a critical security technology need for applications such as aviation security, warfighter protection in theater, and broader counter-terrorism activities. Direct sensing and detection of vapor from explosives and other materials (e.g. taggants) is a potentially powerful method (1) to reveal the presence of concealed explosive devices, (2) to enable at distance detection (e.g. stand-off detection), and (3) to help circumvent many of the issues generally related to sampling (and desorbing) particles for detection from challenging areas (e.g. tainted surfaces, vehicles or cargo environments). Small footprint explosive vapor detection technologies that meet the challenge of direct and reliable detection of low volatility explosives with fast response (real time) and high sensitivity performance levels is of critical importance and is highly desired for a variety of threat detection and security screening applications. Thus, the continued development of new vapor detection techniques and the improvement of existing techniques, coupled with comparative test and evaluation efforts, remain important. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) is seeking vapor detection-based commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and near COTS systems capable of detecting trace amounts of energetic materials for comparative test and evaluation. Detection of energetic materials should include, but does not have to be limited to, commercial and military explosives, Home Made Explosives (HME) (e.g. TATP), as well as other materials that tend to be present along with the explosives (e.g. taggants). The system should be transportable by no more than two persons and should not require extensive setup. This SSN solicits vendors' information that fully explains their existing expeditionary vapor detection-based systems' technology features, capabilities and performance. NSWC IHEODTD plans to select expeditionary vapor based explosive detection systems to be included in a test and evaluation comparative study. Priority will be given to systems that have been evaluated previously by the Explosive Detection Equipment (EDE) Program at NSWC IHEODTD, and/or are deployed. Following completion of the comparative test and evaluation effort, a final report will be written and available for use by government agencies, Department of Defense services, and law enforcement organizations. Vendors should provide the following information: Technical Summary Guidance: - 1. System Title - a. Name and model. - 2. System Picture - a. Photograph of system, preferably something that gives a fair representation of the system size. - 3. System Specifications. This may be presented as a manufacturer's specification's sheet, but should include at a minimum the following details: - a. Size - i. Exterior dimensions in inches when packaged and when in operational configuration (foot print when used for screening). Please include any additional operational foot print information when used for screening (e.g. if additional space around is required for air flow to ensure system stays cool). - b. Weight - i. Include the overall weight of the system in pounds or grams. - c. Power requirements - i. Include data on internal/external power system's needs (e.g. battery). If applicable, especially highlight if the system requires other than standard U. S. electrical power supply of 110-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz for operation and/or charging. - d. Typical Environmental Conditions - i. Ability of the system to withstand operate/storage conditions of: a) temperature range from 0 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, b) humidity range from 10 to 95%, c) barometric pressure range from sea level to 3000 feet above sea level, and d) saltwater spray, sand, dust, rain, or snow. - B. Technical Summary - e. Technology - i. Provide the title and a brief description (five or fewer descriptive sentences) of the technology used by this product. - f. Operation - i. Include requirements to operate in a vapor detection modality as well as requirements to maintain continuous operations (i.e. number of samples per system, required table space to conduct analysis, etc.). Include level of training necessary for an operator to be qualified to operate (if required) and maintain the system. - g. Limitations/Hazards/Special Requirements - i. State any special system limitations, hazards and/or special requirements to include hazards, such as radiation sources (e.g. electromagnetic and/or ionizing sources) or hazardous chemicals and their respective levels. - h. Special Features/Capabilities - i. Summarize any special system features or capabilities not contained herein that improve the overall ability of the system to detect explosive threats. State whether the system has ability to detect other classes of chemical compounds or other distinguishing characteristics unique to IEDs or other threats beyond those cited here. - ii. Vapor detection systems that include a sampling (intake) interface, or complementary hardware interface, that permits secure attachment to secondary devices to allow vapor introduction without loss is desired, but not required. If applicable, detail any vapor sampling (intake) or complementary hardware interface features. - i. Consumables - i. Detail any items that are consumed by the system for operation or may require replacing over time to maintain performance. - j. Life Cycle Cost - i. Life Cycle Cost, measured in $US, includes: a) unit cost b) maintenance c) consumable items for system operations and d) operation and maintenance training provided by the vendor (both duration and cost). - k. Output - i. Response output produced directly by the system (e.g. screenshot and/or display features) while in operation that indicates the presence of an explosive material and identification (if applicable). - l. Performance - i. List of explosive materials in the threat library that the system should be capable of detecting and the associated detection limits in vapor modality. - m. Validated Test Results - i. Summary of vendor and/or third party certifications and/or documented results of vendor test targets, testing and test protocols (additional published technical documentation may be submitted separately). Interested entities are encouraged to respond by providing capability statements outlining technical specifications and a technical summary of five or fewer pages. In addition, the capability statement shall include the organization's name, postal address, point of contact, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, related webpage(s) URL, business size, taxpayer identification number, DUNS number, and CAGE Code. Additional information may be obtained from Alfred Wooten at alfred.j.wooten@navy.mil. Each submission shall be transmitted electronically to marlene.ridgell@navy.mil and a copy to alfred.j.wooten@navy.mil, no later than 24 November 2017.