ILS RFI.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

for

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for

Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Services

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. The RFI does not commit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to contract for any supply or service. The TSA is not at this time seeking proposals.

Responders are advised that the TSA 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. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the TSA. All submissions become the property of the TSA and will not be returned.

I. PURPOSE

The TSA is issuing this combined Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) to seek industry’s input concerning TSA’s requirements for Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) services in support of Security Equipment at federalized airports and designated facilities. Through this RFI, TSA seeks input from qualified vendors that are capable of providing ILS services, concepts, methods, and Service Level Agreements that would allow TSA to compete these requirements effectively, efficiently, and affordably. The information obtained through this RFI will be used in the development of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to be released in Fiscal Year 2023.

II. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

TSA was established as a result of Public Law 107-71, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. TSA is charged with the mission of protecting the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. To that end, TSA’s Passenger Screening Program (PSP) is responsible for identifying, testing, procuring, deploying, and sustaining equipment that detect threats carried by or concealed on the passenger’s body or on carry-on items, to include explosives, weapons, and other prohibited items, as the passenger enters the screening checkpoint. PSP Transportation Security Equipment (TSE) operates at airports throughout the United States and its territories. TSA’s Electronic Baggage Screening Program (EBSP) is responsible for procurement, deployment, integration, and life-cycle management of TSE that screen 100% of all checked baggage at the Nation’s more than 450 airports. All of the currently fielded PSP and EBSP technologies are listed below:

Explosive Detection Systems (EDS), Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), Advanced Technology X-Ray (ATXRAY), Automated Screening Lanes (ASL), Bottled Liquid Scanner (BLS), Enhanced Metal Detector (EMD), Explosive Trace Detector (ETD), Walk-Through Metal Detector (WTMD), Chemical Analysis Devices (CAD), Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), Advanced Technology Computed Tomography X-ray (AT/CT) and Checkpoint Property Screening System X-ray (CPSS).

For additional information about the TSA mission, organization, locations, customer services, and current initiatives, vendors should refer to the DHS website at www.dhs.gov and the TSA website at www.tsa.gov.

Currently, the TSA has two (2) contracts in place for ILS support - both are third party Maintenance Service Provider (MSP) integrator contracts. The Performance-Based Logistics http://www.dhs.gov/ http://www.tsa.gov/

(PBL) contracts are a combination of firm fixed price for program management; firm fixed unit pricing for all preventative and corrective maintenance actions; and time and labor hour for emergent logistics services and out of scope maintenance actions.

The two ILS contracts are as follows:

1. 70T04019C9CAP3000 with TechFlow for maintenance of out-of-warranty Smiths, and Leidos SD&A (previously L3 and Reveal) EBSP checked baggage equipment, with a ceiling of $967,970,831.66 and a period of performance of December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2023.

2. 70T04019C9DAP3006 with Leidos for maintenance of out of warranty checkpoint equipment, regardless of manufacturer, with a ceiling of $926,574,251.63 and a period of performance of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2024.

TSA’s objective is to seek industry’s ideas on how to efficiently and effectively compete the ILS service requirements. Through white paper submissions, TSA’s intent is to determine market capabilities for ILS services and collect ideas and suggestions on the best strategy to procure the required ILS services.

III. RESPONSES TO THIS RFI

TSA is seeking information from vendors with experience and expertise in logistics support and optimizing equipment maintenance services. The following sections provide a recommended outline for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government.

All responses must:

• Not exceed, and will be restricted up to, twenty (20) pages, size twelve (12) Times New Roman font.

• Provide company name, DUNS number and business size

• Provide the company’s point of contact, to include name, telephone number, and email address.

• Be submitted electronically via email to Lindsay.alexander@tsa.dhs.gov

Note – The contractor is not required to answer or comment on all content in this RFI in order to respond to this notice. Interested vendors are encouraged to share as many ideas and suggestions to all or some of the topics presented herein.

Section 1 – Corporate Expertise (2 pages)

Briefly describe the company, product and services, history, ownership, business size, and other information deemed relevant.

Section 2 – Capabilities Statement (2 pages)

In order for the TSA to improve its understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors that are capable of providing ILS services, respondents must briefly describe what experience it has providing performance based logistics and equipment maintenance services to TSA and/or other Federal Agencies and/or commercial industries.

mailto:Lindsay.alexander@tsa.dhs.gov

Section 3 – White Paper Solutions (16 pages)

The TSA is interested in industry’s ideas on how to efficiently and effectively structure ILS services. The contractor’s response is not limited to the questions below. The contractor may provide recommendations on such items as acquisition strategy, contract type, ideas regarding more efficient/effective SLA metrics, incentive concepts and support concepts at a reasonable price, whether or not some requirements should be competed separately based on industry’s capabilities, areas for increased small business participation/set-asides, etc.

TSA Challenges/Questions for Industry

TSA is seeking industry feedback to the following challenges and questions:

1. As described above, TSA employs two ILS contracts to service and maintain checkpoint and checked baggage security equipment. Would TSA benefit by awarding one contract to meet all ILS service requirements? Describe how TSA would or would not benefit from this approach.

2. Given the quantity of equipment and locations requiring ILS support, what type of support contract, Service Level Agreements, and performance metrics would you recommend to achieve and sustain high TSE availability and reliability at all locations in an efficient and affordable manner?

3. Are there opportunities available for contractor teaming/partnerships in order to meet the ILS requirements? Answer for both a combined contract or two separate contracts if applicable.

4. What price structure and/or contract type would you recommend TSA consider to meet the following requirements? Please describe how TSA would benefit from each approach.

a. Maximize TSE availability/minimize downtime

b. Rapid response to equipment failures

c. Minimize passenger wait time associated with critical failures in key locations

d. Contract transition/subcontract management

e. Support of geographically remote locations

5. Identify and explain any suggestions for contract incentives/penalties that would best motivate contractors and ensure performance meets TSA requirements.

6. What information not included in this RFI would be needed to better write an adequate proposal and offer competitive pricing in response to an RFP?

7. Customer Service Support and airport stakeholder approach is critical to TSA. Please explain your approach to this, including any requirements TSA should consider.

8. What requirements and specifications should TSA be considering in regards to the maintenance of potential networked CPSS equipment in remote screening areas similar to concepts used in checked baggage?

Submissions should be organized in accordance with the instructions in this document in order to permit a thorough and accurate review and evaluation by the TSA. Responses to this RFI must be submitted to the TSA via electronic mail not later than 5 PM EST, September 17, 2021 to lindsay.alexander@tsa.dhs.gov and Heather.Karle@tsa.dhs.gov. Responses not received by the closing date and time may not be considered or evaluated by the TSA.

IV. POINTS OF CONTACT

All comments, inquiries, and responses should be directed to the following individuals:

Heather Karle Contract Specialist Heather.Karle@tsa.dhs.gov

Lindsay Alexander Contracting Officer Lindsay.alexander@tsa.dhs.gov

V. Other

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation.

All information received in response to this RFP that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. The Government will not return or pay for any information provided in response to this announcement; no basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this notice or Government use of any information provided. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this announcement.

mailto:xxxxx@tsa.dhs.gov mailto:Heather.Karle@tsa.dhs.gov mailto:Lindsay.alexander@tsa.dhs.gov