Request For Information_ Decommissioning and Disposal.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection

Large-Scale (LS) Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Program

TITLE: Decommission and Remove Non-Intrusive Inspection Systems ISSUANCE DATE: September 9, 2026

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) nor a promise to issue an RFP or other solicitation. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback about its submission, other than acknowledgment of receipt. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is not currently seeking proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the expense of the respondent. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

1.0 Background

The Non-Intrusive Inspection Division (NIID) supports the U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission objectives of securing and expediting trade and travel by providing an effective and efficient means to detect and prevent illicit materials (e.g., drugs, currency, other illegal merchandise, and weapons of mass effect) from entering the U.S., while minimally impacting the flow of legitimate commerce. To achieve this mission, CBP uses a layered enforcement strategy to monitor, regulate, and facilitate the flow of goods. A critical layer within this strategy is the use of NII systems and radiation detection equipment (RDE), to detect and interdict contraband while facilitating the flow of commerce.

CBP employs non-intrusive methods and technologies using either mechanically produced X-rays or beta/gamma radiation from sources of licensed radioactive material to inspect the increasing amount and wide range of cargo, conveyances, people, baggage, and mail for the presence of contraband and threats. CBP uses various technologies to thoroughly and quickly inspect/scan cargo containers, rail cars, trucks, automobiles, pallets, and various packages and parcels for the presence of contraband. NII systems include large and small-scale fixed, mobile, relocatable, and handheld technologies and sensors outlined below.

Scale and Type of Equipment

Large-Scale NII: Any NII System used to examine objects equal in size or larger than a personally owned vehicle.

• Large-Scale NII- Fixed

• Low-Energy Portal

• Multi-Energy Portal

• High-Energy Gantry

• High-Energy Rail

• Gamma Rail

• Large-Scale NII- Mobile

• Low-Energy Mobile

• Medium-Energy Mobile

• High-Energy Mobile

Small-Scale NII: Any NII System used to examine individual travelers, subcomponents of cargo (e.g., pallets), mail (e.g., packages, parcels), baggage, personal effects, or other similarly-sized objects of interest.

• Small-Scale NII- Mobile

• X-Ray Van

• Passive Body Scanner

Handheld NII: Any handheld or portable NII System designed to examine specific areas of Conveyances or Travelers to localize anomalies. Chemical Identification Equipment (CIE): Any NII system that can presumptively identify a substance of interest. Radiation Detection Equipment (RDE): RDE systems are passive technology sensors capable of detecting gamma and/or neutron radiation and determining the specific isotope emitting this radiation.

• Flir R-300 Personal Radiation Detector

• HBI 120 Handheld X-ray Imager

• Density Meter

• Fiberscope

• M908 Analyzer

• RIID RadSeeker DL

• SPRD RadEye

• Gemini

Utilization Areas

• Fixed: Permanent installations requiring site construction.

• Mobile: Self-propelled systems capable of relocating between operations.

• Relocatable: Systems designed for removal and re-installation at different fixed sites.

• Pre-Primary: Screening point prior to initial contact with a person, conveyance, or shipment.

• Primary: Initial point of contact for screening.

• Secondary/Post-Primary: Designated area for follow-up examinations.

• Transmission X-ray: Systems passing radiation through an object to a detector on the opposite side.

• Backscatter X-ray: Systems scattering radiation from an object to a detector on the same side as the generator.

2.0 Requested Information

CBP is seeking information from vendors that are interested in, and capable of, decommissioning, disassembling, recycling, disposing of, or otherwise managing the disposition of Large- and Small- Scale Non-Intrusive Inspection systems. CBP is exploring various acquisition strategies for these services, including potential no-cost or cost-offset arrangements. Please note that while the Government will not reimburse any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a response to this RFI, the Government is specifically seeking industry feedback on the feasibility of performing the decommissioning and disposal work at no cost to the Government, or through a cost-offset structure based on the value of recovered materials.

The systems may include components such as steel, stainless steel, copper, other recoverable metals, x-ray transmission equipment, and radioactive sources. All work must be performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, environmental requirements, safety requirements, including any applicable requirements identified in this RFI.

CBP requests that interested vendors provide responses to the following questions:

1. Is your company interested in decommissioning the equipment identified in Section 3 of this

RFI?

2. Is your company capable of disassembling Large- and Small-Scale Non-Intrusive Inspection systems of the type described in Section 3?

3. Does your company have experience recycling, disposing of, or otherwise managing components such as steel, stainless steel, copper, or other recoverable metals that may be present in these systems?

4. Does your company have experience handling, recycling, disposing of, or otherwise managing x-ray transmission equipment and/or radioactive sources? If yes, please describe relevant licenses, certifications, permits, or regulatory experience.

5. Does your company have experience decommissioning, dismantling, removing, recycling, or disposing of federally owned equipment or systems of a similar scale and complexity? If yes, please provide examples of relevant experience.

6. Would your company be interested in purchasing some or all of the systems or performing the work through a no-cost or cost-offset arrangement? If yes, please describe the general structure of such an arrangement.

7. What additional information would your company need from CBP to determine interest, capability, feasibility, schedule, risks, or potential acquisition approach?

8. Are there specific industry standards, regulatory requirements, safety considerations, environmental considerations, or logistical constraints that CBP should consider when developing a potential future requirement?

9. Are there commercial best practices or alternative approaches CBP should consider for decommissioning, recycling, disposal, resale, or no-cost disposition of these systems?

Responses received from interested parties shall not exceed five (5) pages in length, and in addition to the above:

• Provides the company name and address, point of contact with phone number and e-mail, business size, DUNS number, and

• Any other pertinent information related to the requirement.

Responses are due no later than October 8, 2026 at 5 PM ET. Responses must be submitted via e-mail in MS Word or Adobe PDF format to contracting officer Aga Frys, aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov and Kaitlin Merli at kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov

3.0 Requirements

In approximately six (6) months, CBP plans to begin a significant recapitalization effort across multiple ports of entry over the next several years. While a large number of systems are outlined below, not all of these systems will require decommissioning at one time and will likely occur over several months to years.

Gamma Rail Systems, qty. 14, located in the following field office areas of responsibility: Laredo, San Diego, Seattle, Detroit, Buffalo, Boston.

The Gamma Rail Inspection System uses a radioactive source to produce images of freight contained in railcars. The Inspection System is a fixed system with the source holder and detectors installed on opposite sides of the railroad tracks. The gamma ray source is safely contained inside a sealed holder. The Inspection System can penetrate steel up to 3.5 inches (9 centimeters) thick using the Cesium 137 Source. The Cobalt source penetrates up to 5.25 inches (13.33 centimeters) of steel. The detector tower is a 32·foot (9.75 meter) steel structure that contains seven modular stainless-steel sections. Five modules are mounted vertically and two are mounted at a 32-degree angle. Each module contains 32 Sodium Iodide detectors arranged in two staggered vertical columns.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Primary

UNIT DIMENSIONS

20’ x 50’ footprint with a 32’ tall tower

High-Energy Rail System, qty. 1, located in the Laredo Field office area of responsibility.

The High Energy (HE) Rail System uses X-rays to produce images of railcars to detect drugs, undeclared merchandise, weapons, and other anomalies. The X-ray (Betatron or Linac) source and detectors are stationary as the entire train moves through the system. Some models require significant shielding walls for radiation safety.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission mailto:aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov mailto:kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Primary

UNIT DIMENSIONS

15.2 M Wide x 4.9 M along the Track x 12.2 m

High

Low-Energy Portal, qty. 23, systems in the following field office areas of responsibility: San Diego, Laredo, El Paso, Tucson.

The Low-Energy Portal (LEP) is a drive through NII system utilizing low radiation doses to image an occupied vehicle in motion in pre-primary, primary, and secondary. A low-energy portal is a drive through system utilizing Backscatter and Transmission technology for three-sided (top, left and left) imaging with optional bottom-up scan in two sizes:

• Bus/truck: Large enough to scan tractor-trailers and buses, large vans, recreational vehicles and small trucks.

• Secondary POV: Designed to provide three- or four-sides of passenger vehicles with a larger footprint than LEPs in Primary scanning locations.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission / Backscatter

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary; 3-Sided View or 4-Sided View

UNIT DIMENSIONS

14.8’ H x 23.6’ W (POV); 21.3’ H x 27.9’ W (Bus/Truck)

High Energy Mobile Systems, qty. 6, in the following field office areas of responsibility: Los Angeles.

A high-energy mobile offers high-quality detection capabilities in a compact mobile configuration.

The system uses dual-energy transmission imaging to inspect trucks and cargo. The fully self-contained system includes all components and capabilities required to scan containers, vehicles, and a wide range of cargo.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary

UNIT DIMENSIONS

12’10” W x 15.6” H (Measured from Truck Body)

Medium Energy Mobile Systems, qty. 14, in the following field office areas of responsibility: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, El Paso, Detroit, Seattle, San Juan, Houston, Atlanta, Laredo, Boston.

A medium-energy mobile offers high-quality detection capabilities in a compact mobile configuration.

The system uses dual-energy transmission imaging to inspect trucks and cargo containers for weapons, explosives, drugs, and other contraband. The system itself, along with the associated radiation controlled zone, is smaller than typical high-energy mobile systems.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Primary, Secondary

12’10” W x 15’6” H (Measured from Truck Body)

Gamma Fixed Portal Systems, qty. 4, in the following field office areas of responsibility: San Diego, Tucson

These portal systems detect gamma radiation sources concealed in objects. This drive-through design supports the screening of passenger vehicles and trucks with maximum sensitivity. Features include: High sensitivity gamma detection; notifications reported directly to the on-site operator for rapid response to alerts; easy-to-use, built-in user interface, running on major browsers; and convenient wireless communication to smartphones, tablets, or laptops.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary

60 in L x 10 in W x 2.5 in D 125 lbs

High-Energy Gantry Systems, qty. 13, in the following field office areas of responsibility: Laredo, El Paso, Tucson, San Diego, Buffalo, Detroit

A high-energy gantry is designed to penetrate dense cargo and conveyance for clear imaging of the presence of contraband, weapons, explosives, and drugs. This high-energy range of scanners is designed to optimize security checks at ports, airports, and border crossings. Instead of pulling the vehicle through the energy beam‚ the X-ray source and detector move over the vehicle to generate images of full-size containers.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary)

22’ x 37’ x 102’

Secondary

X-Ray Vans, qty. 61, in the following field office areas of responsibility: Buffalo, Seattle, Tucson, Baltimore, Miami, San Diego, New Orleans, Chicago, Tampa, Boston, San Francisco, San Juan, El Paso, Laredo, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit.

The Mobile X-ray Van uses an X-ray system combined with image enhancement techniques to detect contraband such as drugs, firearms, weapons, and undeclared currency in parcels, boxes, and luggage. The image enhancement tools include edge enhancement, density reverse, and up to 8x zoom. A radiation detector may be added to the system to alert the operator to the presence of radiation in the items examined. Some vans are also equipped with additional detection systems such as vapor and particle detectors to further expand the van's detection capabilities.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Small-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission and Backscatter

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary

219" x 8ft x 91”

Low-Energy Mobile Systems, qty. 61, in the following field office areas of responsibility: Los Angeles, Laredo, New Orleans, Tampa, Boston, San Diego, Tucson, Seattle, Buffalo, Miami, Detroit, Portland, Atlanta.

The low-energy mobile and mobile relocatable systems are solutions for scanning passenger cars and other light vehicles in large numbers to reveal anomalies (including explosives, drugs, and currency) in high-throughput environments like border crossings. The Mobile XPL’s low X-ray dose systems allow drivers and passengers to remain in the vehicle while scanning 150 vehicles per hour or more in the normal flow of checkpoint traffic. The system scans entire vehicles, bumper to bumper, in just a few seconds and can be relocated quickly with no disassembly. The ZBV/ZBF is a low energy backscatter x-ray that provides a side view of a stationary unoccupied passenger or cargo conveyance. When paired with a TX-View trailer, a transmission side view image is provided and allows drive-through scanning of occupied conveyances.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Large-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

Transmission and Backscatter

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary, Outbound Scanning, National Security Events

UNIT DIMENSIONS

ZBV/ZBF: 8’10” H x 8’ W x 21’L MXPL: 10.5’ H x 12.3’ W x 12.1’ L

Flir R-300 Personal Radiation Detector, qty. 202, and SPRD RadEye, qty. 1,316, at Lorton, VA.

A handheld spectroscopic personal radiation detector (SPRD) provides continuous detection capability and full threat identification. It can be deployed in place of existing personal radiation detectors (PRD) with the added capability of identifying the radioisotope present.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) RDE Handheld

RADIATION TYPE

N/A

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Primary, Secondary

1.3 x 2.8 x 4.9”

Passive Body Scanner, qty. 2, at Lorton, VA.

The passive body scanner is a people-screening camera that provides a photographic video and thermal heat video of a traveler, which allows a trained user to observe objects, including metal, plastic, ceramic, gel, liquid, powder and paper, hidden in peoples’ clothing, at distances of 3 to 8m.

This passive terahertz wave technology works by detecting the heat radiating from the surface of the human body and showing relevant temperature differences that indicate objects blocking the heat from the human body. The technology does not emit X-rays or other ionizing or non-ionizing radiation.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Small-Scale NII

RADIATION TYPE

N/A

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Primary, Secondary

21.5” x 26.0” x 8.4”

HBI 120 Handheld X-ray Imager, qty. 55, at Lorton, VA.

A handheld backscatter X-ray instrument is used to quickly find concealed explosives, narcotics, and other contraband, even through up to 12-gauge (over 2 mm thick) steel.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Handheld NII

RADIATION TYPE

Backscatter

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary

9.4" x 8.7" x 6.7”

Density Meter, qty. 50, at Lorton, VA.

Density meters give an indication of contraband concealed in hidden locations. They work by measuring changes in density across the target area. Unlike millimeter wave, radio wave, ultra-violet or microwave technologies, it can identify concealed items through material, wood, metal, or reinforced plastics without causing damage to the items being inspected.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Handheld NII

RADIATION TYPE

Barium-133 Source

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) All

6.5" x 3.25" x 1.75"

Fiberscope, qty. 41, at Lorton, VA.

Fiberscopes provide two-way articulation giving the user a full 360° view inside of a vehicle fuel tank, dashboard, or door. The fiber optic bundle is covered by a tungsten skin that is resistant to both diesel fuels and gasoline. The optical fiber and high-intensity light handle provide visibility even in dark spaces.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Handheld NII

RADIATION TYPE

N/A

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) All

N/A

M908 Analyzer, qty. 5, at Lorton, VA.

Handheld mass spectrometers are used for conducting chemical, explosive, priority drug, and HazMat inspection operations. They can identify trace vapor and low concentration amounts of chemical compounds.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Chemical ID NII

RADIATION TYPE

N/A

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary

11.8" x 8.5" x 4.8”

RIID RadSeeker DL, qty. 226, at Lorton, VA.

A radioactive isotope identification device (RIID) is a handheld radioisotope detector and identifier specifically designed to detect and identify nuclear threat materials. This device is used for radiological material identification and can identify Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), medical isotopes, Special Nuclear Material (SNM), and other radiological threats.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) RDE Handheld

RADIATION TYPE

N/A

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Primary, Secondary

7 x 12 x 4.5”

Gemini, qty. 27, at Lorton, VA.

A handheld chemical inspection analyzer, which can identify a broad range of unknown chemicals and explosives in the field with virtual mixture analysis, using both FTIR (infrared) and Raman (scattering) spectroscopy. FTIR is suitable for colored and fluorescent samples. Raman is suitable for aqueous solutions and semi-translucent containers.

Operational Specifications Technology Specifications & Additional

Information

SCALE / TYPE

(Large-/Small-scale NII, Handheld NII, RDE) Chemical ID NII

RADIATION TYPE

Laser Class 3B

LOCATION OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION

(Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary) Secondary

10.1 x 5.7 x 2.4”

4.0. Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Aga Frys, aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov and Kaitlin Merli at kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov . Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers as an addendum to this RFI on SAM.gov. Therefore, questions should not include proprietary or classified information.

5.0. Summary

THIS IS ONLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) to identify sources that can provide the above requested services regarding the removal and proper disposition of the types of equipment listen herein. The information and specifications provided in the RFI are subject to change and is not mailto:aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov mailto:kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov binding on the Government. CBP has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed and release of this RFI should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.