High Energy Rail (HE-Rail) Large-Scale Fixed Systems

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking industry feedback on draft requirements for High Energy Rail (HE-Rail) Large-Scale Fixed Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) systems designed to scan railcars and cargo at land border crossings and seaports to detect contraband, narcotics, weapons of mass destruction, and undeclared passengers. This is a pre-solicitation Request for Information (RFI) rather than a formal solicitation, with CBP requesting detailed, actionable technical input on the draft requirements documents rather than capability statements or company background information. Key contract objectives include developing systems capable of scanning trains traveling 2-10 MPH with an objective of up to 12 MPH, penetrating 10 inches of steel, providing high-resolution radiographic imaging with material discrimination capabilities, and operating in extreme environmental conditions (-40°C to +55°C). The evaluation will focus on feedback that identifies unclear requirements, incorporates the latest technological capabilities, and suggests realistic timeframes for implementation, with particular emphasis on whether specifications inadvertently limit newer proven technologies. All responses must be submitted via the provided Microsoft Excel response template to Contracting Officer Aga Frys and Acquisition Specialist Kaitlin Merli by December 16, 2025, representing a 15-calendar day response window from the posting date of December 1, 2025.

No set-aside designations apply to this procurement, and no incumbent contractors are identified in the pre-solicitation materials. The anticipated procurement involves a five-year multiple award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a base period of 12 months and four additional 12-month ordering periods, with CBP planning to procure up to ten HE-Rail systems in the base year, four additional systems in the first option period, and one system annually in subsequent option periods. The contract requirements are comprehensive, including system design and manufacturing, delivery within 60 days of task order execution, installation, testing, training of up to 12 students per class across multiple 8-day sessions, and lifecycle sustainment with 96% operational availability targets and Mean Time Between Failure of 3,000 hours. Contractors must comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety standards, provide unlimited rights to all training materials to the U.S. Government, integrate with CBP's cloud-based architecture and common integration platform, and meet stringent IT security requirements including PIV authentication and DHS compliance standards. While specific budget ranges are not disclosed in the pre-solicitation materials, the contract includes milestone-based payment structures ranging from design submittals to system acceptance, with comprehensive support and sustainment obligations extending throughout the contract term.