Call_0005-_SOO_E-_Multimeter_Wire_Attack_Kit.pdf

Multimeter Wire Attack Kit Statement of Objectives BAA 13-012/Call 0005/ SOO E

April 24, 2017 Science and Technology Directorate Department of Homeland Security

DISTRIBUTION NOTICE: Further dissemination only as directed by DHS Office of Policy DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of the document.

Multimeter Wire Attack Kit Statement of Objectives April 13, 2017

Table of Contents

1.0 Problem Statement

2.0 Purpose

3.0 Background Environment

3.1 Mission Scenarios

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

4.1 Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements

6.0 System Support

6.1 Period and Place of Performance

6.2 Contract Deliverables

6.3 Transition Requirements

6.4 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

6.5 System Affordability

6.6 Training

6.7 Other Considerations

6.8 Storage and Maintenance

1.0 Problem Statement

Public sector bomb technicians and related explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists require the development of a comprehensive tool that combines the functions of a multimeter with a wire attack kit and current probe into one device. With the use of this tool, increased performance by technicians, a reduction in errors, and an elimination of the need to carry and maintain multiple tools should all be realized.

There are currently no multimeter wire attack kits designed for EOD use that allows the non-invasive electrical measurements of wires; instead, the community currently uses off the shelf equipment designed for commercial work. The current tools do not meet the needs of the Bomb Squad mission and have features and functions that are not needed. Creating an EOD specific device would remove unneeded features and simplify work done by the EOD technician. This would create a safer more efficient system. During the 2016 First Responder Resource Group (FRRG) Meeting held in July in Washington, DC, responders identified the multimeter wire attack kit as a critical technology capability gap in the detection, identification, evaluation, and safe disposal of unexploded explosive ordnance.

2.0 Purpose

The proposed solution must be designed to meet EOD applications and will include a multimeter (an electronic measurement instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit) combined with a wire attack kit and current probes to create an effective electronic diagnostics kit.

Bomb technicians currently carry multiple tools to be fully prepared when responding to EOD incidents. The purpose of the proposed solution would be to merge two existing technologies – a multimeter and a current probe – into one efficient tool that can conduct an electronic diagnostic of detonator wires and switches. With the development of this integrated tool, EOD operations would be able to be performed faster, more safely, and with greater accuracy. Also, because the multimeter wire attack kit would essentially be combining two currently existing devices, there are proven technologies upon which this device would be built, thus rendering it more likely to be rapidly developed and commercially viable. The intent is to create a multimeter wire attack kit that has a high electrical isolation of the voltmeter built in and greater sensitivity of the microprobe with reduced meter readout error.

3.0 Background Environment

Currently, there are multiple tools available that singularly are able to meet a focused need of the bomb technician and EOD specialist when they are onsite at an incident. This requires having and maintaining multiple tools when they could ideally be combined into a single multi-use tool to perform all of the needs of a multimeter with wire attack kit and current probe. In addition to reducing the need to carry multiple tools, this proposed solution would also reduce calculation errors during an active incident. Access to this tool will enhance the bomb technician’s capability in ensuring the safety of the public in a more expedient manner with a smaller, lightweight, durable and easy to use tool.

Several aftermarket wire probes based on a “bed-of-nails” are available. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. These specialty probes are expensive (approximately $1,500-$2,000 per kit) and many kits lack the number of probes necessary to have an effective electronic diagnostics kit. A minimum of twelve (12) probes that have color coded pairs is required. All probe attachments to a wire being analyzed require continuity testing, which is an essential part of the diagnostics process.

The meter must be reconfigured every time this test is conducted which means this is another point in the process that is vulnerable to bomb technician error.

3.1 Mission Scenarios

The proposed multimeter wire attack kit would be used during incidents where a hand entry is required. This is the most serious type of bomb technician response because the area cannot withstand a detonation. Likely scenarios include situations in which the potential victims or the bomb technician cannot be safely evacuated from the kill zone of the improvised explosive device (IED) which is often the case with vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIEDs) or person-borne improvised explosive device (PBIEDs). These scenarios are where the victim is attached to the device or cannot be evacuated, or a device is in proximity to a critical infrastructure or in proximity to an explosive or chemical hazard which if released would cause a threat to life and health of the surrounding populace.

Electronic diagnostics are time consuming and complex. In most cases, the bomb technician is dealing with time constraints and environmental constraints. The bomb technician is directly interacting with the bomb and there is no room for error. An incorrect action could very likely result in the IED functioning. The bomb technician is under considerable stress and is required to take multiple steps in a prescribed sequence. The bomb technician has to repeatedly reconfigure the meter for different measurements and tests. He or she has to take and interpret meter readings. In many cases, calculations are required and then a decision tree is consulted for appropriate actions.

Action tables may also be required. The process is so complex that it oftentimes is likely to require a second technician to assist. The proposed multimeter and wire attack kit removes or reduces the risks associated with many of these described potential failure points.

The scenarios requiring electronic circuit diagnostics are the most hazardous to the bomb technician as he or she is forced to be extremely close to the IED or even inside of it. If the IED were to explode during diagnostics, it would be impossible for the bomb technician to survive the explosion without significant injury (e.g., loss of limb, sight, or organs) or death.

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

A significant shortfall is that there is no single integrated tool designed to meet the comprehensive needs of EOD bomb technicians. An integrated tool would reduce the need to have multiple tools, therefore lightening the weight of tools carried to an incident, and reducing the time needed on targets to evaluate and disable improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, having multiple tools has proven to be cumbersome and streamlining to one tool will provide greater efficiency.

Multiple tools have many features not needed by Bomb Technicians, removing these features would make it safer by removing the chance for making a mistake.

Current diagnostics technologies may cause fatal false triggering of an IED during a hand entry.

There are several causes for this negative outcome. The most common problem is misconfiguring the meter due to a bomb technician calculation error. The proposed technology would prevent this from happening by having the multimeter wire attack kit perform the calculations. Another common problem is the bomb technician unknowingly blowing the ammeter fuse due to improper configuration. If the fuse is blown and the meter is used the result will be catastrophic. Therefore, the proposed technology must have a fuse status indicator. Poor electrical isolation during voltage measurements may also cause false triggering. Increasing the voltmeter input impedance 100 times will reduce this hazard. The current method to increase electrical isolation is to use an after-market add-on which can cause a meter reading error which is deadly to the bomb technician. The bomb technician must use a mathematical correction factor to determine the true voltage value. This is another potential failure point in the diagnostics process as a calculation error could cause an incorrect action with lethal consequences. Unit conversions are another problem as many microprobes generate values that need to be adjusted for scale and often provide a voltage level that needs to be multiplied by a correction factor to convert it to an amperage value. Each of these are potential errors that could result in the bomb technician taking the wrong action; and, all have the potential for dire consequences.

No current multimeter and wire attack system has programmable alert thresholds for actions. Nor do any currently available meters have vibratory warnings to allow for tactical use which would be a benefit to the bomb technician.

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

4.1 Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

The proposed multimeter wire attack kit will be a handheld manual use device that can be used in the lab for testing or in the field by bomb technicians. This multimeter wire attack kit will have the ability to check continuity, amperage, and voltage with the ability of the wire probe kit to plug into a meter and be stackable between probes. The multimeter wire attack kit will have ports and meter selection features that prevent accidental configuration errors by using shields or using a single pair of ports and push buttons to select the specific measurement. The meter should have a locking feature so that during measurement a bomb technician cannot accidentally change the meter configuration.

The meter will alert the bomb technician on its status and have warnings on the screen about probe attachments to the IED wires for the intended action. The programmable thresholds and auto-scaling feature will reduce the need for calculations, decision trees, and action tables. The meter should be able to store a measured value and conduct calculations based on measured values and ohms law. The probes should be color coded to aid in wire management and the kit will have the quantity of probes needed (minimum of 12 probes) for almost any wire diagnostic operation.

Electrical isolation will be built into the meter so no add-on peripherals are required and no correction factors will need to be applied. The microprobe will have higher resolution and sensitivity thus reducing the need to take in-line current measurements. In-line current measurements produce meter burden which can cause false triggering of IEDs. In-line measurements are the most intrusive action because the IED wires are cut to take a measurement.

The wire probes will come with shunts that are mechanically and electrically stable in case a wire needs to be reconnected after an in-line measurement. The shunts should be built into the probes while connected to the meter. The bomb technician should be able to pull out the probes from the meter after shunting.

The meter will be able to work in temperatures of -20 C to 55 C, should be water resistant, able to survive a drop of 6 feet, and should have a privacy screen. The bomb technician may be working in environmentally extreme conditions. If the device has a light emitting component privacy screens and a dimmable display would minimize the risk of detection. The meter should have a 9 Volt DC alkaline power source and should have a battery life of at least eight (8) hours. The meter should meet the blaster’s safety requirement for use to test detonators. The meter should be able to perform continuity tests on detonators safely.

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters, KPP’s) The proposed solution shall include:

Physical Characteristics –

• A service life between 5 to 10 years;

• The multimeter wire attack kit must have a privacy screen;

• The multimeter wire attack kit must have a large screen with easy to read characters – threshold requirements of 1” tall, 2” wide;

o Lightweight, not to exceed a pound (16 ounces);

o Not to exceed 7.35” x 3.41” x 1.25” in size;

o Locking feature o Ability to change functionality from amps to current to Hz safely and ensure that current is not sent through probes;

o Need to have ability to read voltage, amperage and continuity check;

o Continuity check has LED light confirmation;

o Easy to read day or night (dimmable) and Night Vision Device compatible;

o Colorized with battery level and internal fuse status display;

o Internal fuse check conducted by one button check;

o Programmable alert thresholds with vibrational warnings;

o Different color leads;

o Be a single handheld unit;

o 1000 Mohm or higher input impedance;

o False status indicator; and o Take wire readings through wire insulation and reliable shunt wires include stackable banana clips and bed of nail connectors).

• Maximum Voltage between any Terminal and Earth Ground: 1000 V

• Fuse Protection for mA or µA inputs:.44/100 A, 1000 V FAST Fuse

• W Fuse Protection for A input: 11 A, 1000 V FAST Fuse Accuracy specifications must meet or exceed those of current, widely used equipment (in this instance, the Fluke Model 88 V Automotive Multimeter and the K100 Microprobe);

• Probe requirements include – o The probes must be color-coded to aid in wire management and the kit will have the quantity of probes needed (10 to 12 probes) for almost any wire diagnostic operation;

o Must be able to plug on the top or face of the unit (Inductive probe and wire probes must be able to plug into the multimeter wire attack kit, and inductive probe should have a storage slot;

o Must extend at least 12 inches;

o Probe interface must prevent incorrect setup measurements (e.g., black probe will not fit in the red probe port); and o Probes must be stackable;

o Must have slots for microprobe storage;

o Must have a minimum of 12 wire probes (bed of nail probes); and o Narrow probe diameter must fit 1 inch hole.

o Microprobe Technical Specifications:

Accuracy: DC: ±1% of reading ±200 µA; AC: ±2% of reading ±200 µA;

Resolution: DC: 50µA typical; AC: 100 µA typical;

Current range: 0 to ±4.5 ADC; and Output Noise: <100µV, DC to 3kHz.

• The solution must have programmable thresholds and auto-scaling features to reduce the need for calculations, decision trees, and action tables;

• The kit must come with shunts that are mechanically and electrically stable in case a wire needs to be reconnected after an in-line measurement;

• The shunts must be built into the probes while connected to the meter, and allow disconnection after shunting;

• The solution must have a fuse status indicator;

• The solution shall prevent misconfiguring the meter due to bomb technician calculation errors when determining the true voltage value and making required unit conversion;

• Power Supply shall be a 9 Volt non-rechargeable battery with battery level display that should have a battery life of at least 8 hours;

• Must be compatible with commercial off the shelf (COTS) and digital multimeter tools; and

• Continuity tester must meet blaster safety regulations for detonators.

Durability factors –

• All weather conditions (e.g., able to operate in temperatures of -20 C to 100 C):

• Military Specifications (810g);

• Lightweight;

• Drop proof from a height of 6 feet; and

• Ruggedized.

Operations & Maintenance –

• Easy access to batteries and fuses;

• No screwdriver required to access the battery; and

• Minimal maintenance requirements and costs.

Certification Requirements for Product Conformity –

• This device shall meet all of the following specifications and standards including blaster safety requirements and OSHA requirements for blast environments. The device should meet the agency approvals of UL, CSA, TÜV, VDE listed.

6.0 System Support

6.1 Period and Place of Performance

The length of time of the contract shall be between 12-18 months, and shall not exceed the latter.

All developmental activities will be performed at the contractor-designated site(s). DHS may require the contractor to perform critical design reviews and/or product presentations at DHS-specified locations.

6.2 Contract Deliverables

DHS is committed to ensuring the success of their technology by requiring the project performer to provide DHS multiple prototype deliverables which will be used for post-contract testing and evaluation. At the completion of the project, a minimum of five (5) working prototypes will be available for testing and field usage by public sector bomb technicians.

6.3 Transition Requirements

DHS is also committed to ensuring the use of their technology by the first responder community by documenting metrics regarding product sales and estimated production costs for the first three years after commercialization. Additionally, to promote first responder technology awareness DHS may participate in operational exercises, demonstrations, and conferences for the first three years after commercialization.

6.4 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

The continuity tester must meet blaster safety regulations for detonators and those requirements that meet OSHA regulations for blasting and explosives.

DHS is committed to providing information regarding the availability of their technology to the first responder community by requiring the project performer to submit applications to be added to the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authorized Equipment List (AEL) and the InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability (IAB) Standardized Equipment List (SEL) as a final deliverable.

6.5 System Affordability

A maximum unit cost shall be in the range of $1,000 - $2,000 to include 12 probes. Additional probes should be available for purchase individually or as a kit at a reasonable cost.

6.6 Training

Training information as required shall be provided on any specialized equipment, and shall include how to properly store, clean, deploy, and maintain the basic unit. Any specialty requirements of personnel conducting maintenance, storage, extraction, or delivery will be identified including certification requirements. Training material shall be available initially in hard-copy, and subsequently in soft-copy format. Ideally the unit should be easy to train as the unit should be self-intuitive.

6.7 Other Considerations

Human Interface Requirements: Target users are public safety bomb squad and military EOD, with IED disposal focus.

Manufacturer Warranty requirements: The solution must include manufacturer warranty. The warranty is to be a full warranty against manufacturing process errors and failures due to design flaws for a minimum of two years for all parts and peripherals such as the microprobe and wire probes. An annual calibration service should not exceed $75 per unit and should be available for the life of the equipment.

6.8 Storage and Maintenance

The contractor shall identify all necessary storage and maintenance requirements for the proposed solution including the required maintenance schedule, identification of the specific components of the ensemble that require maintenance, the type of maintenance required, and whether the maintenance can be performed in the field by operational personnel or if it will be required to be returned to the manufacturer for the required maintenance.