Common Viewer System with Independent Threat Recognition Modules

Added: Dec 02, 2015 4:47 pm Common Viewer System with Independent Threat Recognition Module(s)

An essential component of securing U.S. borders involves providing adequate infrastructure and technology at U.S. ports of entry (POEs) for expeditiously scanning and examining cargo and conveyances for contraband, weapons, bulk currency, radioactive materials and other illicit goods. U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) currently uses a variety of large and small scale Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) systems. Each of these systems is operated independently and each has its own graphical user interface (GUI). This results in training and operational inefficiencies. This project will investigate the potential operational and manning efficiencies to be gained through the development and demonstration of a common viewer that supports the operation of different vendors systems, from both local and remote locations.

The primary goal of this effort will be to evaluate the technical feasibility of integrating the output of multiple vendors NII technology into a service oriented architecture with a common viewer and network those workstations inside and out of the POE(s) and at other locations in the command structure. In addition, this System will be designed to accept independent third-party developed contraband threat recognition modules conforming to a common applications programming interface (API) to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of CBP officers to detect different types of contraband.

The scope of the Common Viewer System with Independent Threat Recognition Module(s) is to develop, configure and demonstrate the System capabilities at a primary sea Port of Entry (POE) and then at secondary sea POEs (one or more additional).

The long term goal is to enhance and optimize the efforts of CBP officers to resolve cargo security issues by creating a networked capability of detection technologies and other security related information, from multiple data sources and locations, on a common display. This goal includes the interconnectivity of multiple locations on a local, regional, and national basis; an effective, accessible, and searchable data repository; the implementation of a standards based integration of new technologies developed; the ability to overlay multiple NII technologies; the streamlining and simplification of officer training; and the ability to integrate multiple NII systems and other detection and information sources (e.g. 10+2, other law enforcement data, etc.) into a complete and accurate security profile. These goals also include the incremental integration of contraband detection tools which will increase the effectiveness of CBP officers to detect a broad range contraband classes and to fully integrate this capability within the CBP network.

It will be the contractors responsibility to: (a) design a solution that will integrate multiple vendors NII technology into a common viewer (b) demonstrate that the technical approach will work in a laboratory environment/proof of concept; (c) develop a Full Scale Prototype System; and (d) demonstrate the networked System in live POE operations. The Statement of Work (SOW) defines the tasks necessary to develop the Common Viewer System including: program management, concept definition/validation, prototype development/testing, field evaluations, and options for acquiring additional Systems and capabilities. This demonstration includes both local and remote connectivity capability for field officers at the POEs.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) will contain a baseline system demonstration which will be divided into four (4) phases. This baseline demonstration will end with a full demonstration of the system capability at two or more POEs. The notional period of performance for the baseline demonstration is 13 22 months. In addition, there will several options which will allow the Government to expand the system capability which could include additional training; integration of threat recognition modules; integration of additional detection systems and information; deployment of additional systems; and system support.

This project is under the technical direction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology (S&T), Border and Maritime Security Division (BMSD) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Laboratories and Scientific Services Division (LSS), and the Interdiction Technology Branch (ITB).