RFI_Handheld Training.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

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

Small-Scale (SS) Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Program

TITLE: Small-Scale, Handheld, & Chemical Identification Equipment Training

ISSUANCE DATE: 2/3/2025

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

Part of the mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) is ensuring the continuous training development for the various Small-Scale, Handheld, and Chemical Identification devices within the Non-Intrusive Inspection’s (NII) inventory.

Small-Scale, Handheld, and Chemical Identification devices are systems designed to examine specific areas of Conveyances or Travelers in order to localize anomalies. The vendor-led training will cover the following: Gemini Operator, Gemini Low Dose Differences, Gemini Refresher, MX908 Operator, MX908 Refresher, TruNarc Operator, USCBP DrugIQ, Smart Ray Vision Operator, ITVS Videoscopes Operator, Viken HBI Operator, ThruVision TAC16 Operator, ThruVision TAC16 Passive Body Scanner Refresher and Administrator, and Density Meter Operator courses.

2.0. Requested Information

CBP is seeking information from interested vendors that could provide at least one hundred (100) training credits for the specified Small-Scale (SS), Handheld (HH), and Chemical Identification (Chem ID) Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) devices at various CONUS and OCONUS locations to support the SS NII program.

CBP seeks information from vendors that can meet the attached requirements or that have training courses that can meet the CBP mission requirements. Alternate course designs must meet or exceed the minimum mission requirements and add value to the Government. Vendors should identify these alternate course requirements with rationale of the added cost benefit value to the Government.

Interested Parties should provide a Capabilities Statement and pricing for training courses meeting the specifications in Section 3.0 of this document. Also identify any alternative courses/training that would meet/exceed CBP mission requirements as described below with rationale as to the benefits of the alternative courses.

Responses received from interested parties must not exceed eight (8) pages in length for Capabilities Statement that, in addition to the above:

• Demonstrates the respondent's ability to meet the specifications attached or provide alternate device designs that can satisfy the requirement,

• Identifies any specification that the vendor cannot meet or is not compliant with Industry Standard. In these cases, the vendor shall submit the specification the vendor can meet/is the Industry Standard along with supporting rationale vs that in the non-compliant specification.

• 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.

Note: There is no page limit for the pricing information.

Responses are due no later than March 5, 2025, at 11 A.M ET. Responses must be submitted via e-mail in MS Word or Adobe PDF format to the following: aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov Bryan.M.Currier@cbp.dhs.gov kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov

3.0 Training Requirements

CBP requires training across a multitude of Small-Scale, Handheld, and Chemical Identification systems since a well-trained employee usually shows greater productivity and higher quality of work-output than an untrained employee in the same working hours. Training improves the skills of employees in the performance of a particular job. An increase in the skills usually helps to increase both quantity and quality of output.

The training shall be delivered as credits, which includes 16 hours of instruction per training credit at a designated field location.

Training credits will have no expiration date, once purchased from CBP.

As directed by NIID, the training materials will be updated by the contractor to reflect evolving CBP standard operating procedures, changing operational priorities and in accordance with CBP Office of Training and Development (OTD) criteria.

Video production and image collection shall be done in coordination with NIID and the operational components in CBP and shall remain the property of the Government.

The Contractor shall provide on-site instruction including set-up, course material (paper or electronic), training aids to include devices needed beyond CBP equipment at training location, any required consumables and clean-up of the facility. The vendor shall also include an electronic method of record keeping for class rosters, all training dates (past, present, and mailto:aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov mailto:Bryan.M.Currier@cbp.dhs.gov mailto:kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov future) and course evaluations. The electronic dashboard will be updated at a minimum bi-weekly. The contractor will provide a roster to local training coordinators at the conclusion of training. The vendor will also provide an electronic means of course scheduling with the points of contact while including NIID in all communications.

3.1. Operator Training

The Contractor shall provide on-site training and all training materials for CBP operator personnel at each site using materials to include classroom instruction, user/instructor guides/manuals, video, computers and on-the-job training aids (this is for the classroom training portion). Each class shall consist of the number of students listed in the table below to the corresponding course.

3.2. Ownership

All training products (including developmental documents, notes, storyboards, etc.) become the property of the United States Government upon delivery and acceptance by the government. All rights for use, modification, and repurposing of the training in whole or in part shall belong to the Government.

3.3. Training Material/Course Development

Each training credit shall cover 16 hours of training and will include all course materials needed. This shall also include the vendor lead trainers’ travel, printing, consumables and test material as needed, and logistics (shipping) associated with the course. This includes CONUS and OCONUS training sites and conform to the schedule as requested by the local CBP POC.

All trainers will be vetted by CBP bi-annually to access CBP facilities. All trainers will use vendor-provided email addresses for coordination and contact.

All training PowerPoints, Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) and hands-on skills practices/exercises shall be created in accordance with the CBP mission and given to the students for future reference.

The Vendor Training Program Manager (TPM) will work with CBP NII to create CBP-compliant training materials approved by OTD. The Program Manager will assist with any SOP development, upcoming updates to any of the equipment, changes to the training and will provide SMEs as needed for future development or guidelines.

3.4. Training Execution

This section covers the courses the vendor shall provide to CBP along with the number of students the courses shall serve and what the courses shall cover.

For the following courses, the Trainer should verify that the CBP provided devices are using the most current CBP LSS approved vendor- and user libraries (i.e. Gemini, MX908, and TruNarc).

Course Credit(s) Student Count

CBP ACADIS Description

Gemini Operator

1 24 GEMINI-

(G0723026-35)

BTNX Fentanyl Strips (G0620001-03)

16-hour, OEM certified, CBP custom course, that includes basic training of the Gemini instrument, safe sampling techniques of chemicals, including narcotics, explosives, and other chemicals of concern. The course also provides customized hands-on exercises. Instruction will cover all classes of drugs, including, club drugs, depressants, inhalants, hallucinogenics, stimulants, dissociatives, as well as other new trends. This course also certifies the users in Rapid Response Fentanyl Strips

(BTNX).

For those POEs that have Gemini Low Doses, this course will also include OEM certification on Gemini LD. Includes QRG’s, PPE, consumables and BTNX strips and other test kits to conduct the course.

Gemini Low Dose Differences

¼ Credit 12 4-hour OEM certified CBP custom course for those officers who already have taken the OEM certified Gemini course. This course is interactive lecture, supported by hands-on training on identifying low dose/low concentration narcotics.

Gemini Refresher

¼ Credit 24-In Person or unlimited Webinar

4-hour, CBP custom OEM course. This CBP custom course can be either in person or instructor lead on-line webinar.

The course is a Gemini refresher and covers some of the basic Gemini training along with updated information on safe sampling and interactive instruction.

MX908

Operator

½ Credit 12 G1429001-13 8-hour course, OEM certified, CBP custom designed course, that includes basic training on the MX908, and custom hands-on exercises designed for CBP.

MX908

Refresher

¼ Credit 12 4-hour course, OEM certified, CBP custom designed course. The course is a MX908 refresher is for students who have had the basic MX908 training. This training covers some of the basic MX908 training along with updated information on safe sampling.

TruNarc Operator

¼ Credit, 2 classes per day, 4 classes per credit

20 G0727032-13 4-hour, OEM certified, CBP custom course will cover the use of the TruNarc and sampling techniques. Course also includes proper techniques for using the H kit to detect low concentration, low dose amounts of drugs, including Fentanyl.

This course is 50% hands on, with students gaining first-hand experience operating several skill stations, using many different types of sampling techniques and testing real world chemicals

USCBP

DrugIQ

1 Credit 40 8-hour, CBP DrugIQ prepares responders and investigators to implement risk-based response tactics to safely respond to incidents involving synthetic opioids, counterfeit pills, and clandestine labs. This course shall cover all classes of drugs to include, Club drugs, 2CB, Ketamine, NNDMT, THC extraction, edibles, and ice methamphetamine, as well as other new trends.

Smart Ray Vision Operator

¼ Credit, 2 classes per day

12 G0727040-13 4-hour, CBP customized OEM certified course with interactive lecture, supported by hands-on training. This course covers use of the SRV in the many CBP environments. Each course is mission specific to the POE, checkpoint, or station.

ITVS Video Scope Kits Operator

¼ Credit 15 G0727045-42 4-hour, CBP customized OEM certified course with interactive lecture, supported by hands-on training. This course covers the basic training of the ITVS videoscope kits along with hands-on field applications.

Viken Handheld HBI Operator

¼ Credit 15 G0197001-43 4-hour, CBP customized OEM certified course with interactive lecture, supported by hands-on training. This course covers the basic training of the HBI family of devices along with hands-on field applications.

For any students with admin privileges, include any additional instruction for user management and admin functions.

ThruVision

TAC16

Operator Course

½ Credit 12-20 G0727039-13 4-hour, CBP customized OEM certified course with interactive lecture, supported by hands-on training. This course covers the basic training of the ThruVision system, along with hands-on field applications. A CBP customized training kit is left behind for each location for future trainings.

ThruVision

TAC16

Passive Body Scanner Refresher

1/8 Credit 12-20 or unlimited webinar

2-hour, CBP custom OEM course. This CBP custom course can be either in person or instructor lead on-line webinar.

The course is a ThruVision TAC Personal Body Scanner (PBS) Operator refresher and covers some of the basic training along with best practices and interactive instruction.

ThruVision

TAC16

Passive Body Scanner Administrator Course

1/8 Credit 4-8 or unlimited webinar

G0727038-13 2-hour course, supplemental training for Operator Course that provides additional instruction for user access management, data management and system set-up/configuration settings.

Density Meter Operator

½ Credit 12

8-hour course, OEM certified, CBP custom designed course, that includes basic training on the Density Meter, and custom hands-on exercises designed for

CBP.

Training credits can also be used by CBP NII for any other training needs on equipment for which the vendor is OEM certified. They may also be applied to training for a CBP custom built course on new emerging threats, training needs or other equipment that is purchased.

Field users shall be able to request training by either reaching out to NIID or reaching out to the training vendor directly. The training vendor shall include NIID on communication with the field user(s). All training requests shall be approved by NIID before the training vendor schedules the training.

3.5. Training Deliverables

No later than the 10th of each calendar month a report shall be provided to NIID showing:

• how many and, if applicable, what type of training credits were completed/used to date for the current period of performance,

• how many training credits remain, and, if applicable, what types of training credits remain,

• any courses and credits are scheduled,

• and any courses and credits that are pending approvals.

4.0. Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to the following:

aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov Bryan.M.Currier@cbp.dhs.gov 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

mailto:aga.frys@cbp.dhs.gov mailto:Bryan.M.Currier@cbp.dhs.gov mailto:kaitlin.h.merli@associates.cbp.dhs.gov

THIS IS ONLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) to identify sources that can provide handheld training credits for the specified handheld NII devices. The information and specifications provided in the RFI are subject to change and is not 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.