B01 - Request for Information - DUV Raman Systems - 15MAY2024.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

For

Explosives, Chemical, & Opioid Detection Technology Support Services for the

Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center

(DEVCOM CBC)

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited

15 May 2024

The United States (U.S.) Government is requesting qualified contractors review this RFI and provide a response to the Government’s questions in accordance with the below submission requirements to encourage competition and exchanges of information:

1. Please describe any experience your company has with developing state-of-the-art semi-autonomous standoff Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) Raman systems.

2. Will your company propose on this effort? Yes, or No?

a. If yes: Indicate if your company is currently considered a small business under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

3. Can you meet the required capabilities?

a. If so, please provide a Capabilities Statement or a Brief Narrative/Video/PowerPoint presentation with your response to any of the information provided below explaining how.

4. The Government wants to ensure its requirement is clear to the maximum extent practicable. Is there any information that is unclear or will need to be added?

5. Please provide any questions, comments, and / or feedback using the attached Questions & Answers (Q&A) Excel Spreadsheet. Do not include your company name in your Q&A document as the Q&As may be released to all Contractors. Please note: Responses to this notice may not be returned.

6. If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please submit a response to the questions and/or capabilities below to show how your company (with any similarly situated subcontractors if you are a small business) can meet the outlined requirements in the DEVCOM CBC’s Capability Requirement Statement (Attached, Reference Page 4)

a. Please provide a Capabilities Statement or a Brief Narrative/Video/PowerPoint presentation with your response to any of the information below.

b. Please include your Company Name and CAGE code and Point(s) of Contact and Email Address(es).

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This RFI does NOT constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a Request for Proposal (RFP), or a promise to issue an RFP, or any other type of solicitation will be issued. Responses to this notice may not be returned. Additionally, documents submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. Responses to this request are voluntary and will not affect any contractor's ability to submit a proposal if, or when, an RFP is released.

The U.S. Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the U.S. Government. No entitlement to payment by the U.S. Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this request. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information and/or materials received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. Propriety information shall NOT be submitted. The Government is not liable for or shall suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Any voluntary response received will be reviewed to assist the Government in arriving at the most suitable approach to acquiring, distributing, and supporting services. If a solicitation is released, the Government will post an announcement to SAM.gov | Home and / or grants.gov .

Responses to this request are due no later than Thursday, 30 May 2024 at 10:00am Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Ms. Samantha Degele, samantha.l.degele.civ@army.mil and Ms.

Carlethia Smith, carlethia.d.smith.civ@army.mil . Responses to this notice may not be returned.

No telephone calls will be accepted. Based upon the number of responses received, this RFI may be followed by an Industry Day or similar.

ELIGIBILITY:

The DEVCOM CBC invites participation from all qualified contractors who are engaged in related research activities. This RFI is to facilitate the Grants or Agreements Officer’s review of the market base for acquisition planning, size determination, and procurement strategy purposes.

The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Edgewood Contracting Division (ECD), on behalf of DEVCOM CBC is requesting information for Explosives, Chemical, & Opioid Detection Technology support utilizing ultraviolet (UV) Raman spectroscopy. The DEVCOM CBC Office has a need to develop four (4) state-of-the-art semi-autonomous standoff DUV Raman Systems. This system shall operate at 262 nm or below.

ACC-APG, ECD is seeking innovative solutions. Innovative means any technology, process, or business practice that enhances mission effectiveness for the U.S. Government. The objective of this RFI is to attract and identify best-of-breed solutions to solve the problem sets identified.

https://sam.gov/content/home https://grants.gov/ mailto:samantha.l.degele.civ@army.mil mailto:carlethia.d.smith.civ@army.mil

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. §4022. Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects, paragraph (d) Appropriate Use of Authority:

(1) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that no official of an agency enters into a transaction (other than a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement) for a prototype project under the authority of this section unless one of the following conditions is met:

(A) There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

(B) All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.

(C) At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

(D) The senior procurement executive for the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify the use of a transaction that provides for innovative business arrangements or structures that would not be feasible or appropriate under a contract, or would provide an opportunity to expand the defense supply base in a manner that would not be practical or feasible under a contract.

Incorporated within the response to the Government, please indicate which one (1) of the above conditions (A, B, C, or D) are met by the company while also providing supporting documentation / evidence.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

DEVCOM CBC requires a capable and qualified company to provide labor support, supervisory support, materials, tools, and equipment to develop state-of-the-art semi-autonomous standoff DUV Raman Systems. The first two (2) systems should be capable of operating at 262 nm. The additional two (2) systems should be capable of operating below 250nm.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Army currently has a challenge to detect large and small quantities of chemicals solids and liquids) at standoff distances greater than two (2) meters on ground and surfaces to enhance avoidance and situational awareness of a chemically hazard environment. The Army is gathering data to determine Industry’s ability to address this capability gap and determine the effectiveness deployment upon successful technological development.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

The primary place of performance will be the Contractor’s facilities.

Capabilities Requirement Statement

Requirement Title: Explosives, Chemical, & Opioid Detection Technology Support Services for the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center

A. The required Technology Objectives of the state-of-the-art autonomous standoff Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) Raman systems are as follows:

1. Technology Objectives:

a. The Contractor’s proposed DUV Raman Systems shall:

i. Operate at 262 nm or below.

ii. Provide on-board processing of acquired data to yield a readable detection of threat material (i.e, chemical warfare agents, energetic materials, and pharmaceutical based agents ) to the operator without the need of ancillary software or hardware, and operable in both direct sunlight and nighttime lighting conditions.

iii. Provide standoff range objectives that are no less than one (1) meter.

iv. Weigh no more than ten (10) pounds.

B. Capabilities:

1. The Contractor should have the appropriate level of expertise in DUV laser development and system development in order to build and deliver DUV Raman systems meeting the objectives outlined above.

2. The Contractor should possess a facility clearance enabling the handling classified material up to the SECRET level.

3. The Contractor should possess the appropriate facility clearances to handle lab quantity amounts (less than 10 grams) of energetic materials, and general classes of standard chemicals and toxic industrial chemicals and materials.