High_volume_RFI.pdf

Evaluation of High Volume

Samplers, Pre-concentration

Media and/or Sample Analyzers for the Identification of

Explosive and/or Illicit Drug

Vapor in Cargo Containers

Agency: CTTSO/TSWG:

Location: TSWG

Notice Type: Special Notice

Added:

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the

Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) will take procurement action in this matter. Neither CTTSO nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Combating Terrorism

Technical Support Office Technical Support Working Group

(CTTSO TSWG), in collaboration with Department of

Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS

S&T), issues this RFI regarding evaluation of high volume samplers, pre-concentration media, and/or sample analyzers, for the identification of explosives and/or illicit drugs inside of cargo containers where bulk materials may be concealed. This request is a focused market survey of any technology that meets the high volume sampling/identification need and identifies realistic trace vapor of contraband material found in cargo containers. Proponents of technologies of varying Technology

Readiness Levels (TRL) from field-validated breadboard formulation (defined as TRL 5) to deployable systems (defined as TRL 9) are invited to submit descriptions of their systems and concept applications. This RFI is a volunteer based evaluation program, and no funds will be provided to any performer for additional development prior to the assessment or reimbursement for participation in the evaluation and/or assessment(s). Developers that do submit may be requested to participate in an assessment in which they will gain technical feedback from the government on their system, specifically from focused assessments which will help guide their development and the technology’s optimization.

Background:

The vapor-based identification of contraband material is a challenge because of the possible number of signature molecules, the wide range of chemical structures and the span of vapor pressures. The detection of contraband material becomes increasingly difficult when stored in cargo containers as these materials have a tendency to adsorb onto surfaces within the container, the materials of interest may be concealed, the size of the container may vary, interferents may be present

(e.g., fumigation of the container) and operational constraints may be in place. These various factors and the storage of these materials in enclosed spaces may lead to low vapor concentrations available for sampling. However, if a sufficient volume of air is collected, pre-concentrated and analyzed identification of the contraband material may be feasible. As a result, development of high volume sampling methodologies, pre-concentration media and the corresponding analysis techniques may allow operators to efficiently screen cargo containers for explosives and/or illicit drugs.

A successfully deployed commercial high volume sampling system will be capable of:

• being field deployable,

• being robust enough to perform in a variety of environmental conditions,

• processing a variety of cargo containers including

CONEX marine containers, shrink wrapped pallets, and air cargo skids in less than a threshold of five minutes (one minute objective),

• collecting a sufficient quantity of the target material,

• transferring the collected material to an analysis instrument without any pre-processing of the samples

(e.g., solvent extraction),

• and providing an instrument response allowing for identification and discrimination.

A successfully deployed commercial analyzer will detect and identify target materials in the part per trillion to quintillion range (i.e., nanograms to femtograms per Liter of air, respectively). A system can also be a combination of sampling and analyzing technologies in which case it must meet both the needs of a successful sampler and a successful analyzer. These requirements present a daunting technical challenge that spans scientific disciplines and requires creative approaches using novel techniques.

Objective:

Submissions to this RFI will be used to assess the state-of-the-art for high volume sampling, sample analyzers and combination system techniques for the identification of explosive and/or illicit drug vapors from maritime and/or air cargo containers. It is anticipated that some responses will describe systems that are at a TRL greater than 5. A TRL 5 system is defined as system whose “basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so it can be assessed in a simulated environment”.

Examples include “high fidelity” laboratory integration of components and software. Submitters describing systems at

TRL 5 or greater may be requested to participate in an assessment of their technology. The assessment will be a joint activity between DoD, DHS, Canada Border Services Agency, Transport Canada, Defence Science Technology Laboratory, and Israel Prime Minister’s Office.

A field-based assessment may be performed to challenge the high volume samplers, pre-concentration media and/or analyzers in a simulated cargo environment, in a blind assessment scenario, which will include the identification of real explosive and/or illicit drug targets inside of standard maritime Conex and/or air cargo containers in a variety of sizes.

In addition to the field-based assessment, a laboratory-based assessment may also be conducted. This laboratory-based assessment will utilize the high volume sampler and pre-concentration medium to capture known quantities of explosive and/or illicit drug vapor produced by a calibrated, vapor generator to determine the collection efficiency. These assessments may require training of government staff to operate the sampler and/or analyzer or operation by the provider with government oversight. The goal of these assessments will be to confirm sampling and/or identification capabilities of realistic levels of trace contraband materials in a simulated environment.

It is anticipated that submitters to this RFI will benefit by learning more about the requirements of high volume sampling and detection for trace vapor produced from explosives and/ illicit drugs, and this information may help guide their development and technology’s optimization.

RFI Submission Requirements:

To respond to this RFI, please provide a data package in

Microsoft Word Format that is no more than ten-pages describing the system offered for assessment. Please explicitly include the following (as appropriate) in the response:

• Discussion of sampling technology, pre-concentration medium and/or measurement/analysis technique,

• Contraband materials (i.e., narcotics and explosives) that are collected and/or detectable by the system, Ancillary materials that are collected and/or detectable by the system (i.e., taggants, decomposition products, solvents, etc.)

• Minimum and maximum trace levels detectable for each explosive or contraband item the system can detected and the experimental protocols used to derive these values (if applicable),

• Details on any evaluations performed on the system including type [i.e., pure vs. military and quantities and location (lab vs. field)] and the evaluator,

• False alarm rate of the proposed system (if applicable),

• Air flow rate,

• Sampling time,

• Sampling approach,

• Design of the pre-concentration medium,

• Collection efficiency for each explosive or contraband item the system can detect,

• Sample Storage conditions,

• Sample pre-processing (if required),

• Analysis time and approach (if applicable),

• Response information provided by system (e.g., ion abundance, mass, vapor concentration, alarm/no alarm, etc.),

• Recovery time between samples (if applicable),

• Calibration and verification process for the system,

• Consumable items required to operate/maintain the system,

• Training requirement for system use,

• Maturity of system (Technical Readiness Level),

• Diagram and picture of system,

• Size, weight, and power requirements,

• Site requirements, if any,

• Environmental limitations (e.g., high temperature, low temperature, humidity, sand/dust, etc.) of the pre-concentration medium and/or the system,

• Safety testing of the pre-concentration medium and/or system,

• Dates of availability for the pre-concentration medium and/or system,

• Independent Reports (include as an addendum, not included in 10-page limit),

• Responses should include name, telephone number, and an E-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to discuss responses with the government representatives.

The initial response will undergo a technical review that may be followed by requests for clarifications or an invitation to participate in the government conducted technology assessment. This is, in no manner, an opportunity to submit a proposal for development funding. No awards will be made from this RFI.

This request is open for responses until July 6th, 2018. Data packages may be submitted throughout the open period and will be evaluated as received with priority given to those received first. It is highly recommended to submit as early as possible.

The response should be sent with RFI-18-15606 promptly displayed on the subject line to:

highvolume@cttso.gov mailto:highvolume@cttso.gov