Questions_From_Industry_Dated_18Aug17.docx

Questions from Industry:

1. Transparent walls to maintain visibility of personnel being scanned at all times. Our eqo unit only has 1 wall making the screening process wide open and visible. However, the 1 wall is not transparent. I believe this meets the mission but could be argued that it doesn't meet the spec. Would you please clarify or remove requirement?

Answer: I agree and understand the concern. Our requirement is that we need to be able to maintain a clear line of sight and access to the person being scanned at all times...I would say we can adjust the verbiage to clarify and state, "System needs to allow for the ability to maintain a clear line of sight and access to the person being scanned at all times."

2. The 6'-8' Length is slightly shorter than our 8ft length. It should be noted that our space requirements include space for the officer and person being scanned. It appears that the space requirements on the RFQ do not take into account where the officer will view images. Will you please clarify or adjust size requirement?

Answer: This was alleviated in the previous physical dimension question...however, to clarify for future info...these dimensions do not include for work area. This is the physical dimensions that we can accommodate for the machine itself.

3. Physical dimensions need to be between: 6’-8’ Length x 3’-6’ Width x 6’-9’ Height

There are no low dose transmissions-ray systems currently available in the US that can meet the physical dimensions stated in the Solicitation. For example, the dimensions of our System are 9'2" - length x 6'1" - width x 7'11" height. Our System is the shortest and narrowest product in the market.

Answers: The max height of 9' is an absolute max due to dimensions of the buildings that they are going into. The length we could extend out and the width we can as well but we really need to stay under 6'6" for the width and that is starting to limit our surrounding area for maneuvering. It would be okay with modifying the dimensions to this: max length 9'6" x max width 6'6" x max height 9' and all of these are due to the limitations of the buildings/areas they are being installed in.

4. Able to screen for contraband and threats hidden under a person’s clothing. Detect both metallic and non-metallic objects, such as guns and knives, plastic and liquid explosives, composite weapons, drugs and other hidden threats and contrabands.

Does the Agency not wish to be able to detect contraband hidden inside a body cavity or swallowed? The technical capability listed above only requires items hidden outside the body to be detectable. The majority of contraband hidden by individuals in State and County Detention Facilities in the US are hidden inside body cavities.

Answer: We are okay if the equipment provided has the capability to see within the body but it is not a necessary requirement to accomplish our mission.

5. Our …… wave system requires to person to spin which allows for better imaging on the sides of the body. The solicitation, however, states, “Able to scan entire individual while the scanned individual remains stationary “. Is there a reason for the requirement or were these specs written to lockout our product by our competitors?

Answer: The reason behind this characteristic is that with the "customers" we work with; the less we have to position them and move them around the better...our intent is to only have to move them into one position and get the process completed as quickly as possible...most of our "customers" tend to try to make everything as difficult as possible so the less we have to maneuver and position them...the better. That is why we stipulated that everything needs to be completed in one position.

6. Should we bid with exceptions or “no bid” this opportunity?

Answer: If the Offeror takes exception to any of the requirements specified in this solicitation, the Offeror shall clearly identify each such exception and include a complete explanation of why the exception was taken and what benefit it provides to the Government. All exceptions to the solicitation requirements and supporting rationale shall be included in an addendum to the quote and clearly labeled "Exceptions". An addendum is only required if the Offeror takes exception to any requirement in the solicitation. (The Addendum does not have a page limitation, but shall only include information relevant to exceptions taken to the solicitation requirements.) The Government will assume an Offeror takes no exceptions to any solicitation requirement if the Offeror does not submit an Addendum identifying exceptions. Offerors are advised that solicitation requirements are not necessarily negotiable and such exceptions may render an Offeror's quote unacceptable and ineligible for award.