RFI__-_Next_Generation_RIID_Procurement_-_3June2019_Final.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RIID Next Generation:

Radiation Detection Equipment and Operations

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP or Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). This RFI does not commit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) to contract for any supply or service. DHS CWMD is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the CWMD will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or BAA.

If a solicitation is released, it will be released via the Government-Wide Port of Entry (GPE) at (http://www.fedbizopps.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor the website for any information that may pertain to this RFI. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the CWMD, and will not be returned.

1.0 Description

In December 2017, the Secretary of Homeland Security established the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office to elevate and streamline DHS efforts to prevent terrorists and other national security threat actors from using harmful agents, such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material and devices to harm Americans and U.S. interests. To this end, the CWMD Office identifies, develops, tests and fields the best possible equipment to counter emerging threats and provide continuous mission support. The CWMD Office provides a suite of detection equipment in support of front line operators. Specific to this RFI, this includes radiation detection equipment for deployment and operation by DHS and state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement entities to strengthen the protection of various pathways through which global commerce travels.

Through this RFI, the CWMD Office is conducting market research to identify current industry capabilities to detect, identify, and localize radiological/nuclear (rad/nuc) threats (including material and other components) that may be smuggled via both containerized and non-containerized cargo, privately owned vehicles, buses, and on foot at points of entry (POEs) into the United States of America (U.S.). These capabilities are to be handheld, mobile, and to occur in real-time. This RFI could potentially lead to a material solution acquisition/Request for Proposal in approximately 9-12 months. The information provided in response to this RFI may be used to assess market capabilities; discover alternate or improved technologies or concepts;

determine the technical maturity and commercial availability of potential solutions; and support future planning efforts to strengthen CWMD efforts with next-generation radiation detection and identification technologies.

2.0 Information Sought

CWMD is seeking:

• Technological solutions for the upgrade of hand held radioisotope identification devices.

• Technological solutions for handheld scanning of containerized and non-containerized cargo and vehicles entering the U.S. through POEs for radioactive materials.

• Handheld equipment that can detect, identify, and localize illicit radiological/nuclear material in the containerized and non-containerized operational environment for both primary and secondary screening.

Primary screening is any searching, whether active searching or passive monitoring, that may result in the initial detection of rad/nuc material. A small area search is one application of primary screening. Small area searches are purposeful searches performed to find rad/nuc material in a small area. Examples of small area environments include cars, trucks, small vessels, train engines, and small or medium sized aircraft. A key benefit of a small area search is the ability to use the detector within these conveyances in close proximity to radioactive material.

These detection systems are used to detect, localize, and identify any rad/nuc materials. These systems must be relatively light, compact, easy to use, mobile, and of sufficiently low cost to support widespread deployment. Additionally, the systems must not impede the user from maintaining situational awareness and performing other law enforcement functions.

Secondary screening is a purposeful search to localize, identify, and classify rad/nuc materials detected during a primary screening. Handheld detection systems used for secondary screenings are also used to detect, localize, and identify rad/nuc materials. They must assist the operator in quickly localizing the source of radiation, finding the location of highest activity, and then identifying any present radionuclide(s) with high accuracy in as short a time period as possible.

Although primary and secondary screenings are often considered separate activities, the two are expected to be completed using the same detection system.

System designs are unconstrained (i.e., Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or modified COTS solutions). Since DHS/CWMD will not provide any helium-3 based on the policy statement released in May 2014 (i.e., https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS- OCPO/CWMDHe3/listing.html), it is required that responders do not offer a solution using helium-3 based neutron detectors.

3.0 Performance Characteristics

Draft Requirements for handheld radiation detection and isotopic identification systems are provided in Attachment 1. Requirements are broken down into two tables: one for requirements https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/DNDOHe3/listing.html establishing detection effectiveness, and one for mission suitability. Some requirements have unique sub-requirements for identification as it relates to specific radionuclides; references to these radionuclides can be found in Appendix 1, Tables 1-5.

Some requirements are Key Performance Parameters (KPP) that must be met at the threshold level to be considered as a viable option. These are noted by a bold KPP in the ID # column of the requirements table.

The government requests that industry provide feedback on any requirements. In particular, we would like to know if industry recommends a requirement be revised to allow for more innovative solutions to achieving the mission.

4.0 Submission Instructions

For all acquisitions, as part of a proposal, CWMD also requires vendors to provide an algorithm replay tool. The algorithm replay tool must be in in compliance with AOS Report No. (AOS-16-

0082) CWMD REPLAY TOOL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATION

(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/SN-CWMD-RPM-CRADA/listing.html) which announced in February 2016 that all future acquisitions must provide the Government with a replay tool. The replay tool will be used by the Government to determine how effectively a proposed RIID will perform against the threat space. Due to the cost of testing and the large variation in possible conditions out in the field, the replay tool provides a synthetic analysis to evaluate a larger range than would be possible through testing.

Please include the following in the RFI response:

1. Provide a general description of the system. Include a list of system physical components, nomenclature, picture/representation of the system, user interface, and model number, as appropriate. Please make note of any special components and a discussion on the software maturity level (e.g., ANSI N42.42, NIEM N.25 compliant).

2. Explain how the system will be operated in the field (i.e., conduct/concept of operations). Include the number and type of personnel needed to execute operations.

3. Describe technology. Include characteristics and capabilities of the technology, gamma and neutron detection and identification capabilities, and compliance with applicable ANSI standards, such as N42.33, N42.43, N42.53, N42.35, or N42.38 as appropriate.

Also, describe calibration capability of the detector.

4. Describe the detection, radionuclide identification, and categorization algorithm(s).

Include:

• Algorithm description and performance range

• Integration times for gamma and neutron detectors

• Expected false alarm rate https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/SN-DNDO-RPM-CRADA/listing.html

• Algorithm validation performed

• Algorithm identification performance F-Score using DHS Algorithm

Development Kit (i.e., GADRAS-DRF via ORNL RSICC website)

• Availability and description of algorithm replay tools that mimic a radiation detector system’s signal processing, alarm logic, and identification function.

For CWMD procurements, an algorithm replay tool will be required. The algorithm replay tool must be in in compliance with AOS Report No. (AOS-16-

0082) CWMD REPLAY TOOL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATION

(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/SN-CWMD-RPM- CRADA/listing.html) which announced in February 2016 that all future acquisitions must provide the Government with a replay tool.

5. Describe the data file storage and transmission capability to include data streaming, if applicable.

6. Describe the operating system.

7. Maintenance. Describe the overall maintenance strategy, and how the status of health of the equipment will be recorded, maintained/transmitted, reported, and used in maintenance of the devices. This includes how the device will inform the user to take the RIID out of service for repair.

8. If available, include supplementary information such as:

i. The system’s user manual, if one exists.

ii. A list of test reports (e.g., independent third party, gov’t testing, internal testing, etc.), if available.

iii. Battery compatibility, cost, operating life, and useful life

iv. Any other information that would be applicable to the intent of this

RFI.

9. Describe how the system was designed to address cyber security and compliance with Department of Homeland Security or other federal policies and guidelines.

10. Describe how the system was designed to address ruggedness for field use. CWMD is particularly interested in increased robustness and survivability of devices against drops, shock and impact. See BHH-FR-23-03 and BHH-OR-24.

11. Describe reliability and operational availability of the system. These attributes are of great importance to the user and we are seeking solutions that will reduce the maintenance burden of the user and sustainment cost.

12. Describe the estimated unit or system cost.

13. Environmental Testing. CWMD performs environmental testing or requires its vendors to provide environmental test results. For this RFI, CWMD is requesting vendors to indicate if they would be willing to enter into a potential bailment agreement with DHS in order to conduct testing—to include environmental testing that may result in damage to the tested devices—or if these test units must be purchased. It is expected that 7 test units will be needed and 2 of these will be used for environmental testing.

14. Obsolete Components. Describe any obsolete components currently with the system.

Describe any obsolete component that the system may experience depending on the number of buys (e.g., 0 – 500, 500 – 1000, 1000-5000). Describe plans for creating non-proprietary component production options if support is no longer available from vendor.

15. Completed Attachment 1, Draft Requirements. Using the requirements table in

Attachment 1, please indicate whether the device meets or does not meet the requirements. For entries where “Meets” is indicated, specify Threshold (T) or Objective

(O) and provide an explanation and/or reference to appropriate supporting documentation (e.g., technical, functional, or test document). For entries of “Does Not Meet” provide a brief explanation as to why the device does not meet the requirement or to what extent it does meet the requirement. The government requests that industry provide feedback on any requirements. In particular, we would like to know if industry recommends a requirement be revised to allow for more innovative solutions to achieving the mission.

CWMD appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources.

For clarification purposes ONLY and to aid in its understanding, CWMD may request to meet with respondents after receipt and initial assessment of written responses to this RFI.

Responses to this RFI, in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF, are due no later than 5:00 PM (local Eastern time) on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Please e-mail responses to Annemarie Spence, Contracting Officer, at Annemarie.spence@hq.dhs.gov and Marcus Datcher, Contract Specialist at Marcus.datcher@hq.dhs.gov.

CWMD reserves the right to review late RFI submissions. Please be advised that all submissions become the property of CWMD and will not be returned.

Responses to this RFI may be assessed by Government technical experts drawn from staff within CWMD and other Federal agencies. The Government may use selected support contractor personnel to assist in the review of RFI responses. These support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary information.

mailto:Annemarie.spence@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Marcus.datcher@hq.dhs.gov