RFI Rapids and DARTS.docx

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE AND FACILITIES DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) 15F067S00003

Research and Prototyping for Improvised Explosives Devices Defeat Exercise (RAPID-X) and Disruption And Render Safe Techniques and Systems (DARTS) Support DUE: June 17th, 2026

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE AND FACILITIES DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

DISCLAIMER:

THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR QUOTE. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

INTRODUCTION

Responses to this RFI may be used to formulate final requirements and/or to identify qualified vendors capable of meeting those requirements. The description below outlines preliminary requirements envisioned for the Research and Prototyping for Improvised Explosives Devices Defeat Exercise (RAPID-X) / Disruption And Render safe Techniques and Systems (DARTS) Support. The information gathered may be used to formulate acquisition strategies for competitive solicitations.

BACKGROUND

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors capable of supporting the delivery of RAPID-X and DARTS training exercises. These programs provide advanced instruction to Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PSBTs) and military EOD personnel on IED disruption tools and techniques developed through FBI-led Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) efforts.

This effort is intended to inform a potential recompete of the current contract vehicle and assess industry’s ability to deliver high-quality, field-forward, instructor-led training while maintaining alignment with FBI standards and operational requirements.

Requirements of the RFI:

Operational Environment & Mobile Delivery The FBI requests capability statements regarding a flexible, instructor-driven training framework capable of deploying mobile training events nationwide, frequently executed at local, state, or regional explosive ranges. Because training cohorts will vary by location, the instructional approach must be dynamically tailored to mixed audiences consisting of Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PSBTs), Special Agent Bomb Technicians (SABTs), and military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel. The operational environment demands high organizational agility, requiring the selected vendor to operate effectively with limited lead time and adapt seamlessly to fluid schedules, shifting geographic locations, and fluctuating student compositions.

Core Instructional Domains The training curriculum must deliver deep, subject matter expert instruction on advanced Improvised Explosive Device (IED) disruption tools. Instructors will be required to convey a comprehensive understanding of explosive and non-explosive disruptors, charge design and performance characteristics, water-based disruption systems, and post-blast effects on diverse target materials. Beyond practical tool operation, the instruction must cover the underlying applied sciences driving tool performance, specifically focusing on blast effects, fluid dynamics, and penetration mechanics. All practical, scenario-based field training must align strictly with approved FBI Special Technician Bulletins (STBs) and Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Publication System (AEODPS) guidance.

Range Management & Safety Oversight Due to the high-risk nature of live-fire explosive training, the government requires comprehensive field range management and rigorous safety oversight. The vendor will be responsible for the physical setup, execution, and teardown of specialized training lanes and live demonstration shots. Operational safety protocols must dictate strict chain-of-custody accountability for all explosive materials, clear misfire and emergency contingency procedures, and total compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations. Additionally, the vendor must coordinate directly with host bomb squads or military installations to ensure safe, cooperative, and efficient range integration.

Programmatic Support & Continuity The vendor will be responsible for the overarching logistical sustainability and standardization of the training program across multiple annual events throughout CONUS. This requires routine, close coordination with federal program staff regarding training calendars, equipment requirements, and student throughput metrics. To maintain quality assurance, the vendor must deliver formal after-action feedback following each event, capturing direct observations from the field and providing data-driven recommendations for tool or technique improvements. Ultimately, the vendor must ensure absolute continuity of instruction across all mobile events so that identical tactics, techniques, and procedures are standardized nationwide.

CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

This RFI is open to small and large business concerns for market research only to request input from potential providers of personnel who possess recent, relevant field experience as certified Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PSBTs), military EOD technicians, or equivalent subject matter experts with documented operational experience. These individuals must demonstrate the credible ability to translate complex technical concepts and underlying physical principles into clear, operationally relevant instruction while seamlessly teaching practical, hands-on field applications. Furthermore, prospective personnel must be capable of operating completely independently in remote or austere field environments and representing the federal program with the utmost professionalism when interfacing with federal, state, local, and military partners.

Organizationally, potential providers must possess a proven, comprehensive capability to safely plan, coordinate, legally source, and execute live explosive training events across the 50 states and U.S. territories. This includes a demonstrated track record of providing rigorous range safety oversight that encompasses strict explosives handling, inventory accountability, established misfire procedures, and emergency contingency planning in full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Finally, interested vendors must show the institutional capacity to integrate smoothly with diverse host agencies, coordinate complex logistics with federal program managers, and maintain strict instructional fidelity to standardized tactical blueprints.

The Government would like to know which firms can provide the service for this contemplated requirement by identifying themselves and responding to this RFI. The Government requests the following information:

1. Company name and business size.

2. Provide evidence to show that your company can provide the requested services and/or products required (i.e. technical ability, personnel, and experience). Information provided shall be succinct and related to the requested information in this RFI. All submissions shall be unclassified.

3. Address whether your company has a GSA Schedule and if they are capable of providing these services on schedule. If able to provide the services on schedule, provide the schedule and SIN.

4. Any other assumptions, comments, concerns, and/or questions relating to the contemplated services.

Required Information:

Contractor Legal/DBA Name:

Address:

Point of Contact:

Telephone:

Email Address:

DUNS Number:

Cage Code:

Facility Clearance (if applicable):

Applicable NAICS Codes:

Standard Business Size:

GSA Schedule:

NASA SEWP Contract:

Questions

1. Describe your organization’s experience supporting bomb technician or EOD training programs, particularly those involving live explosives.

1. What experience do your instructors have as certified PSBTs or military EOD technicians, and how recent is that experience?

1. How does your organization ensure standardization of instruction across multiple instructors and locations?

1. Describe your approach to teaching technical concepts (physics, effects, tool performance) in a way that is actionable for field operators.

1. Provide examples of your experience managing or supporting explosive ranges for training purposes.

1. How does your organization handle logistics and coordination for mobile training events nationwide?

1. Describe your ability to operate in a government-led program where curriculum and tools are developed externally (e.g., by FBI RDT&E).

1. What processes do you use to capture and relay field feedback to improve training or equipment?

1. Describe your capacity to support simultaneous or high-tempo training schedules.

1. Identify any risks or challenges associated with this type of training and how your organization would mitigate them.

CONTEMPLATED REQUIREMENT

FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to:

· Gather industry information on the enclosed requirements.

· Request information on any industry changes or improvements that the FBI should consider when looking to achieve capabilities that meet requirements and are compatible with the commercial environment.

DISCLAIMER and RESPONSES

THERE IS NO COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. THIS IS BEING ISSUED SOLEY FOR INFORMATIONAL AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICTIATION. IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 15.201(e), RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE ARE NOT OFFERS AND CANNOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO FORM A BINDING CONTRACT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR QUOTE. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR RESPONSE

1. All interested parties shall submit capability packages in response to this notice.

2. Do submit succinct, thoughtful responses to the requirements/questions listed in this RFI.

3. Do submit comments that address the FBI's requirements, assumptions, conditions or contemplated approaches to this future acquisition.

4. Do submit information and suggestions that may encourage new, different, or innovative approaches that would result in products, solutions, and direct savings to the FBI.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN YOUR RESPONSE

1. Do not submit proposals or offers.

2. Do not submit past performance information or general descriptions of corporate experience.

3. Do not submit requests to be considered for award or to be notified of a future solicitation.

4. Do not submit requests to be added to a mailing list or distribution list.

5. Do not submit questions or comments not related to this RFI.

6. Do not respond via telephone.

RFI SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS:

(Provide the What, Where, Why, How and Who on how vendors submit their information) Submit RFI Information (via email or mail as applicable) to the attention of:

Contracting Point of Contact:Tabitha Williams Email: tlwilliams8@fbi.gov Alternate: Bardia Barmaki bbarmaki@fbi.gov

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