SEDS Checked Baggage Follow-On RFI final.docx

Screening Equipment Deployment Services - Checked Baggage Follow-on Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) Document #: TSA-25-04-0432

A. INTRODUCTION

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this combined Sources Sought - Request for Information (hereafter RFI) to solicit Industry’s capabilities and inputs on the Acquisition Program Management (APM) office’s requirement for TSA security technology equipment installation, deployment, and planning services at all U.S. federalized airports (both within the Continental United States (CONUS) and outside of the Continental United States (OCONUS)); other TSA designated work locations (both in the U.S. and international) such as labs, universities, training sites, special support to other agencies (e.g. Presidential Inauguration ceremony, U.S. State Department support, partner nation airports). Collectively these services are known as Screening Equipment Deployment Services (SEDS) Checked Baggage. The current ceiling value of the Screening Equipment Deployment Services (SEDS) Checked Baggage contract vehicle is $318,600,000 over five years. Orders under the current SEDS Checked Baggage IDIQ contract are awarded on a firm-fixed price, firm-fixed unit price and time and materials basis; however, TSA desires to acquire more of these services on a firm-fixed price/fixed unit price basis. In order to develop an acquisition strategy to continue this required support, TSA is now seeking industry comments. TSA would like to improve its understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors that are capable of supporting and executing the varied requirements of the SEDS Checked Baggage Follow-on. All interested and qualified businesses are encouraged to respond to this notice in accordance with the instructions addressed herein.

B. THE CURRENT SEDS CHECKED BAGGAGE CONTRACT

TSA is responsible for the deployment of security technology equipment to ensure: (1) new technologies are deployed as they become available based on a risk-based model; (2) old technologies are removed from service when they are at the end of their life cycle; and (3) systems are relocated as necessary to meet security needs. Currently, TSA acquires these services through the SEDS Checked Baggage (CB) single-award, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under which task orders are awarded.

The SEDS CB contract encompasses all deployments, relocations, and de-commissioning of Transportation Security Equipment (TSE), associated peripherals and Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) throughout all the U.S. federalized airports (CONUS and OCONUS) and other TSA designated work locations. These projects primarily deploy checked baggage technologies for the screening of checked baggage. The Contractor is responsible for all tasks associated with the deployment, relocation, and de-commissioning, and when directed, the evaluation of security technology equipment at geographically dispersed airports and other locations (such as labs, universities, other government sites) both CONUS and OCONUS.

This includes all program management, planning, coordination, design, site preparation, restoration, and logistics activities to facilitate the OEMs ability to install, integrate, relocate, and remove all TSE when directed by the TSA. For each specified site, all necessary designs, approvals, permits, authorizations, etc. are required for providing utilities (heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and power) for the TSE installation. Frequently, TSA has the need to remove, prepare for deployment, and redeployment of TSE in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, and OEM procedures. Additionally, TSA frequently requires emergency quick turn-around requirements, shipping of minor ancillary type items, abatement of hazardous materials, and design (CAD) support.

The original SEDS Checked Baggage IDIQ contract Request for Proposal (RFP), which included the base IDIQ contract Statement of Work (SOW), is attached to this RFI. In addition, a sampling of the current task order SOWs as well as a copy of the Checked Baggage Pricing Worksheet are also attached. All attachments are provided for informational purposes only.

C. FUTURE STATE

TSA will continue to have these requirements beyond the conclusion of the current SEDS CB IDIQ contract. TSA is continuing to look internally at business practices, processes, rules, and other areas that can improve the ability to field security capabilities in an innovative, effective, and efficient manner and is developing an acquisition strategy to further enable this evolution. Further, TSA is seeking innovative concepts and practices to satisfy changing/growing mission needs with less funding and federal employee participation.

D. INDUSTRY RESPONSE

The TSA is interested in hearing industry's ideas on how to efficiently and effectively acquire these requirements when the current SEDS CB IDIQ contract ends. To that end, TSA is seeking two types of information from industry: 1) capability statements and 2) White Papers. Interested vendors are encouraged to share as many ideas and suggestions to any of all of the topics presented herein. Responses to either the capability statement or white papers is not required in order to be considered for eventual award of these requirements. Instead, responses are an opportunity for industry to make suggestions, recommendations, and input. Industry is not required to answer or comment on all of the content contained in this RFI in order to respond to this notice.

Submissions of capability statements and white papers must be accompanied by a cover letter which identifies the company name, address, DUNS number, Point of Contact(s) (Name, title, email, and phone number), and business size, i.e. small, small disadvantaged, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged, HUBZone small, woman-owned small, veteran-owned small, service-disabled veteran-owned small - based upon NAICS Code 541330 "Engineering Services" with a size standard of $25.5 million.

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. There is no solicitation document presently available. All information received in response to this RFI 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.

To sufficiently complete market research and acquisition planning, TSA intends to meet with companies determined to have provided novel, innovative, or insightful responses, as well as other companies known to have an outstanding understanding of the overall requirements and industry market. TSA also intends to meet with companies to further explore industry capabilities, especially as it relates to the ability of small businesses to provide all or a subset of the requirements. This RFI and one-on-one discussions is a first step in an overall industry engagement strategy, which may also incorporate industry days and/or release of draft requirements/solicitations.

D.1 CONTRACTOR'S CAPABILITIES STATEMENT

In order for the TSA to improve its understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors that are capable of providing this type of support to APM, Contractors are asked, through a narrative description, to identify their firm's capabilities to meet the requirements identified in the conceptual areas discussed in this RFI and what experience it has providing similar and/or same services to other Federal Agencies. When identifying current or past experience, please identify the following:

· Name of Agency

· Point of Contact (name, title, phone, and email)

· Contract/Task Order Number

· Contract Type

· Period of Performance

· Total Contract Dollar Value

· Scope of the Contract/Task Order

· Brief Description of the Work completed within the Scope of the Contract/Task Order

The capabilities statement shall not exceed four (4) pages in length.

D.2 WHITE PAPER

The TSA is interested in hearing industry's ideas on how to efficiently and effectively structure an acquisition to meet the needs described in this RFI. Through white papers, industry is encouraged to provide recommendations on such items as acquisition strategy, contract type, whether or not some requirements should be competed separately based on industry's capabilities, pricing structure/definitions, or recommended changes to scope. However, there is no limit to what type of information can be provided as part of the White Paper. The White Paper shall not exceed ten (10) pages in length.

TSA has identified general questions below that it would like discussed as part of a White Paper response, however vendors are encouraged to comment on any/all aspects of the requirement/potential acquisition strategy and not limit their responses to the specific questions.

1. Can you think of ways for TSA to better design the FFP/FUP pricing, for example by using scenario pricing, package pricing, labor categories, etc.?

2. Are any requirements missing from the Checked Baggage Pricing worksheet FUP pricing for Federalizations, De-federalizations, and installation of explosives detection systems?

3. Would it be beneficial for TSA to include an inside delivery charge for lightweight and/or heavy parts (rather than rigging)?

4. TSA is looking to revise the short hall distance to account for local riggers warehouse. What is the average distance of a local riggers warehouse from an airport?

5. Please review the definitions in the Checked Baggage Pricing worksheet for heavy parts, bulky parts and furniture. Should any of these definitions be revised?

6. Should any new technologies or parts be added to the FUP pricing workbook and IDIQ contract or task order scope?

7. In addition to current rigging categories, should there be an hourly rate to address rigging efforts that may run long? Or another approach to pricing for rigging?

8. What is the best way to capture all program management tasks/pricing, for both the IDIQ contract and all task orders, in one Task Order, to be competitively awarded with the IDIQ contract?

D.3 SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION

Your submission 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 via electronic mail to Mrs. Heather Karle at heather.karle@tsa.dhs.gov and Mrs. Lindsay Alexander, lindsay.alexander@tsa.dhs.gov by 3PM EST, November 7, 2024. All questions regarding this RFI should be submitted via electronic mail to Mrs. Heather Karle at heather.karle@tsa.dhs.gov. Responses not received by the closing date and time may not be considered by the TSA.