Amendment 0002 for RFP 70RWMD22R00000006 TS10 QandAs_dated 5.24.22.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a)By completing items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE

DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

1 6

70RWMD22R000000060002 05/24/2022

70RWMD22R00000006

05/11/2022

70RWMD

AMENDMENT CONTROL NUMBER : 70RWMD22R00000006

SUMMARY OF CHANGES : The purpose of Amendment 0002 to RFP 70RWMD22R00000006 for Topic Solicitation 10 is to provide responses to the potential offeror questions for this requirement. The questions and government responses can be found in the attached document.

Attachment: Amendment 0002 RFP 70RWMD22R00000006 Topic Solicitation 10 Q&As (5 pages)

Same As Issuing Office Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, 301 7th Street SW, Mailstop 0115, MGMT/OPO/Mailstop 0115 Washington, DC, 20528-0115, US

70RWMD

Amendment # 0002 for RFP # 70RWMD22R00000006 Vendor Q&A

Questions for CWMD OBAA Topic Solicitation No. 10: 70RWMD22R00000006 – Checkpoint Chemical Detector

# Reference Question Response 1 Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 8, Track B (Trace Chemical Detector)

The solicitation states (page 7 and

8) that “To address this need, this topic seeks to mature non-contact chemical detection technologies…” For Track B, Trace Detection, would DHS CWMD consider detection sensors that require swiping of the surface if the operator does not need to come into contact with the surface?

The topic intent is to develop and assess detection approaches that do not require direct collection of samples.

2 Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 8, Track B (Trace Chemical Detector)

Is it permissible for the non-contact detection technology for Track B, Trace Chemical Detector, to vaporize samples before ingestion into the detection sensor?

The topic intent is to improve the protective posture of DHS personnel and the general public against chemical threats and hazards by reducing contact of suspected items with screening officers and the traveling public, and that do not require direct collection of samples.

3 Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 8, Functional Performance Parameter 6

Functional performance parameter 6 (for all three tracks (A, B, C)) states that “a desktop system is acceptable.” If we proposed a portable, handheld detection sensor would that also be responsive?

Would a portable, handheld sensor be more responsive to this topic, especially Track B? Would detection sensors with lower SWaP be more responsive?

Proposed solution approaches will be evaluated with all detection, functional, and performance parameters in mind. Offerors should determine the approach they believe will achieve the best results.

4 Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 8, Functional Performance Parameter 7

Functional performance parameter 7 (for all three tracks (A, B, C)) states that “detectors should not require consumables to operate.” If we proposed a portable, handheld detection sensor that utilized standard (AA, AAA) batteries would that be responsive? Or if batteries are required do, they need to be rechargeable from shore power?

Proposed solution approaches will be evaluated with all detection, functional, and performance parameters in mind. Detectors that use battery power are allowable for developmental prototypes. Later-phase detector system attributes, including preferred modes of supplying power, will be informed by operational end user needs as the program progresses.

5 RFP

70RWMD22R00000006;

Section 3.3

Regarding the evaluation of pitch papers, if an offeror submits their pitch paper early, will they receive any feedback prior to the 6/27 date listed?

No.

6 RFP

70RWMD22R00000006;

Section 3.5 Phase Structure, Section 3.8

Section 3.8 states that $2M of FY22 will be available for all awards, but in the Phase Structure, it says Phase I awards will be no more than $2M per award. Will the Phase I awards be a mixture of FY22 and FY23 dollars?

Yes, Phase I awards will be partially funded with DHS appropriations received in FY22 and DHS appropriations received in FY23.

Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 7, Section 5, Sub-section: “Description”, bullet B.2.

What is the median mass diameter of the trace particles the sensor is required to detect?

Given the broad range of chemical classes of interest, median mass particle diameters are not specified for early phase developmental prototype detection performance.

Later-phase prototype performance attributes for particle detection will be informed by operational end user needs as the program progresses.

Offerors should determine the approach they believe will achieve the best results.

Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 7, Section 5, Sub-section: “Description”

What temperature and humidity conditions is the sensor required to operate in?

The topic intent is to improve chemical detection and identification capability for checkpoint screening scenarios. Detailed temperature and humidity operating requirements are not specified for early phase developmental prototypes. Later-phase prototype performance attributes will be informed by operational end user needs as the program progresses. Offerors should consider the potential operational scenarios and determine the approach they believe will achieve the best results.

Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 7, Section 5, Sub-section: “Description”

Is there a maximum power draw requirement for the system?

Power draw requirements are not specified for early phase developmental prototypes. Later-phase prototype performance attributes will be informed by operational end user needs as the program progresses. Offerors should consider the potential operational scenarios and determine the approach they believe will achieve the best results.

Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 7, Section 5, Sub-section: “Description”

Is there a minimum standoff requirement between sensor and sample to be responsive as a non-contact sensor?

Per the topic description, “Solutions should perform non-contact detection and identification of materials in near-real time without requiring direct collection of samples.”

Offerors should consider the potential operational scenarios and determine the approach they believe will achieve the best results.

Topic Solicitation No. 10:

70RWMD22R00000006,

page 8, Section 5, Sub-section: “Phase Structure”, bullet 3: “Phase III – Critical Design”

The solicitation states that the performer will deliver a minimum of 5 prototypes to the government Phase III. Do all 5 prototypes that will be delivered need to be built in Phase III effort alone or does the statement imply that 5 prototypes built over the course of Phase I-III have to be delivered?

Final prototypes to be provided for testing in Phase III may include prototypes or components built in earlier phases, provided that all prototypes meet the system requirements specified by the Program Office in Phase III prior to third-party testing.

Section 5. Research Opportunity Description under “Description”, under “…desired final prototype system functional and performance parameters….”, Item #7

How do you define consumables versus maintenance items? Both can be consumed in use; some consumable items are necessary for instrument performance (i.e., dopants in IMS)

Detectors should not require consumables to operate. The intent of the topic is to minimize the logistical burden for the end users of the technology. Maintenance or calibration standards that are employed on an occasional basis are allowable. Proposed solution approaches will be evaluated with all detection, functional, and performance parameters in mind.

13 Section 5. Research Opportunity Description under “Description”, under “…desired final prototype system functional and performance parameters….”, Will prototypes employing radiological ionization sources be considered?

Proposed solution approaches will be evaluated with all detection, functional, and performance parameters in mind, to include safety of screening personnel and the general public. The safety of such approaches will be evaluated on a per-case basis.

Section 5. Research Opportunity Description under “Description”, under “…Chemicals of interest for this program include….”

Will prototypes in question be required to detect all classes? That is, they will be required to detect CWAs AND TICs AND explosives?

Proposed solutions may take an incremental approach to achieve detection of different chemical classes of interest. Proposed solution approaches will be evaluated with all detection, functional, and performance parameters in mind, including the breadth of the detection library. Offerors should determine the approach they believe will achieve the best results.

Section 15. Students Will non-student permanent residents be permitted to participate selected research proposals?

Per the SOW, all Contractor employees provided for this requirement must be eligible for a Secret Clearance.

16 General Are organizations permitted to submit multiple proposals? Yes.

Attachment 4, SOW, Section 4.1

It is stated that “all Contractor employees provided for this requirement must be eligible for a Secret Clearance. In addition, Contractor will also require access to unclassified, but Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and For Official Use Only (FOUO) information, under this SOW.”

A) Do all Contractor employees have to possess or be eligible for a Secret Clearance?

B) If not cleared, can they participate in non-security classified aspects of the project?

C) Can Contractor employees that are permanent residents of the U.S.

be permitted to participate in aspects of selected research projects that are unclassified?

All Contractor employees must be eligible for a Secret Clearance, given that access to classified information may be required under this program.

Such eligible employees need not currently be granted a Secret Clearance in order to begin work on the contract. Specifics on when access to such information will be required will be determined following award. All contractor employees must safeguard all SSI, FOUO, and classified information in accordance with Government guidelines.

Section 5, pg. 7 of the solicitation, various Tracks for Pitch Papers

If a Pitch Paper is submitted under Track C (combined small bulk and trace) and found not favorable in one technical area, would it automatically be relegated to either Track A or B or discounted from consideration?

Proposed solution approaches will be evaluated with all detection, functional, and performance parameters in mind. The Program Office will consider all proposed solutions for Track C in terms of their potential to meet Track A and B topic goals as well.

19 Section 5, pg. 7 of the solicitation, various Tracks for Pitch Papers

Are offerors permitted to submit more than one Pitch Paper (one specializing in Track A or B and another for Track C)?

Yes.

20 Section 5, pg. 7 of the solicitation, under desired

Given the maximum weight and system dimensions, is a smaller

Any solution which meets the weight and system dimension requirements parameters for final prototype systems handheld system preferred or desirable?

of the solicitation will be given equal consideration. Proposed solution approaches will be evaluated with all detection, functional, and performance parameters in mind.

Offerors should determine the approach they believe will achieve the best results.

Section 5, pg. 7 of the solicitation, under desired parameters for final prototype systems

When assessing CONOPs and safety for the desired technical solution, is an enclosure required to facilitate the measurement of the sample at the checkpoint?

Such an approach would be within the boundaries of the solicitation.

Offerors should propose solutions that can be developed into detectors that are safe to operate, store, and maintain in their intended environment throughout the detector life cycle. The need for an enclosure will depend on the detection approach that is proposed in order to ensure safety of screening personnel and the public.