Passenger_Self_Screening_System_RFI.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Procurement Operations

On Behalf of the Science and Technology Directorate Request for Information – Passenger Self Screening Systems for Aviation Checkpoint

INTRODUCTION:

This is a Request for Information (RFI). The objective of this RFI is to gather relevant information from interested sources, regarding feasibility, technological capability, and general levels of effort required to develop a passenger self-screening solution.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE RESPONDENTS:

This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP. The Federal Government will not pay for costs associated with developing a response to this RFI.

Respondents to this RFI should not anticipate feedback regarding their submissions, other than acknowledgment of receipt, provided a submitter requests such an acknowledgment. However, at its discretion, the Government may request additional information as a result of this RFI. This RFI does not commit the Government to enter into any contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future projects of this nature. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned.

The anticipated Product/Service Code is AJ13.

BACKGROUND: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Apex Screening at Speed (SaS) program pursues transformative research and development (R&D) activities that support a future vision for increasing aviation security effectiveness from curb to gate while dramatically reducing wait times and improving the passenger experience. To enable this vision, Apex SaS, in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA’s) Innovation Task Force, is considering the development of a passenger self-screening solution to transform the TSA’s Pre™ concept of operations.

Just like self-checkout at grocery stores, self-tagging checked baggage, or ATM machines, many patrons prefer an experience that they can complete all by themselves, at their own pace. Personal screening stations would increase the overall passenger screening throughput. Apex SaS is exploring ideas to bring similar concepts to the passenger screening process. Apex SaS would like to collaborate with stakeholders to develop a solution that would:

• Enable a self-sufficient experience in the passenger screening process

• Allow for passenger on-person screening and divestment of personal property (for X-ray screening) to occur in a single step, compared to the two distinct steps that exist at airports today

• Enable passengers to directly receive on-person alarm information while divesting, and allow for the passenger self-resolution of alarms through continued divestment to reduce instances where a pat-down/secondary screening procedure would be necessary

• Allow passengers to complete the screening process more quickly

• Maintain or improve the current security posture at the airport checkpoint

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This request solicits information about solutions that may be rapidly developed to detect weapons and organic threat items hidden on passengers without the same level of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) engagement normally present in the screening process. The solution would be deployed in conjunction with an X-ray system and an Automated Screening Lane (ASL) so that a passenger may be screened while they complete the divestiture process for inspection of their accessible property.

The objective would be to create a passenger friendly, intuitive screening process while improving security, accelerating passenger throughput, and reducing pat-down rates.

The solution should be capable of utilizing the natural motion of the divesting passenger to achieve thorough inspection for concealed items and provide near real-time feedback to the passenger if additional divestiture is necessary. The passenger will only be allowed to leave the divestiture station if they have been cleared by this solution. In instances where an alarm cannot be resolved through passenger divestment, a TSO may be necessary to adjudicate any unresolved alarms.

While specific use cases and concepts of operations have not been defined, it is anticipated that, if successful, this self-screening concept may initially be deployed in a TSA’s Pre™ environment. A firm requirement would be that the security posture is in no way reduced compared to current TSA Pre™ detection performance (Walk-Through Metal Detection). Solutions may consider more advanced screening modalities (such as millimeter wave) to meet performance targets. DHS S&T is requesting information from vendors regarding feasibility, technological capability, and general levels of effort required to develop such a concept. This information may be used by DHS S&T to refine requirements and inform strategy towards investing in the development of such a concept.

PURPOSE:

This RFI solicits information about possible solutions for a passenger self-screening concept.

RFI QUESTIONS:

The following questions will help S&T understand the feasibility, technological capability, and general levels of effort required to develop a passenger self-screening solution. Additional information may be provided in addition to responses to the questions below, but overall responses must be within the page limit noted below.

1. Company information, including name, address, phone number, e-mail, point of contact and

URL

2. Whether the company develops technologies that may be adapted to this self-screening concept

3. Where the company sees the greatest technical risk in developing something that can enable such a concept

4. How this self-screening concept should or could be further applied to improve security, throughput, or the passenger experience

5. If properly funded for development, how quickly could a functioning prototype suitable for pilot testing be developed

6. A rough estimate of costs to develop a prototype suitable for pilot testing

7. A point of contact for follow-up information, including their phone number and e-mail address

8. Cost information, such as purchase price and General Services Administration (GSA) schedule information, if applicable

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RESPONSE GUIDELINES & REQUIRED FORMAT:

Responses to this RFI should be forwarded not later than twenty-eight (28) calendar days from receipt.

Sources will not be reimbursed for providing responses. Responses to this RFI should be no more than ten (10) typewritten pages and shall be prepared in either Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) formats. Responses should be prepared using 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins, and 8.5” by 11” page size including images, data displays, charts, graphs, and tables. Responses should include name, telephone number, and an e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to discuss responses with government representatives.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

All information received will be treated as public knowledge and may be used in DHS S&T program documentation; therefore, companies should not submit proprietary information in response to this RFI. At this time, proprietary information is not being requested. Respondents wishing to submit proprietary information should specifically mark or identify any information they perceive as proprietary for which they seek added protection. To the extent that any proprietary data is submitted with the RFI responses, it will be properly protected by DHS S&T. Proprietary information submitted as part of responses to the RFI should be clearly marked and identified as PROPRIETARY. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this RFI is strictly voluntary.

QUESTIONS:

The Government will provide answers to questions on this RFI. Please submit any questions no later than 1:00 PM Eastern Time on November 14, 2019. Questions shall be submitted to the following points of contact:

Carolyn Lethert Contracting Officer Carolyn.Lethert@hq.dhs.gov

Jennifer Koons Contracting Officer Jennifer.Koons@hq.dhs.gov

DUE DATE:

The due date for the submission of responses to this RFI is 1:00 PM Eastern Time on December 4, 2019. Responses should be sent via email to the following points of contact:

Carolyn Lethert Contracting Officer Carolyn.Lethert@hq.dhs.gov

Jennifer Koons Contracting Officer Jennifer.Koons@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Carolyn.Lethert@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Jennifer.Koons@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Carolyn.Lethert@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Jennifer.Koons@hq.dhs.gov