Sources Sought Notice - Portable Radiation Isotope Identifier Devices

THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY.  The U.S. Government desires to procure two (2) Portable Radiation Isotope Identifier Devices with Gamma Detector (LaBr3) + Neutron detector on a small business set-aside basis, provided 2 or more qualified small businesses respond to this sources sought notice with information sufficient to support a set-aside.  Be advised that the U.S. Government will not be able to set aside this requirement if 2 or more small businesses do not respond with information to support the set-aside.  We encourage all small businesses, in all socioeconomic categories (including, 8(a) Business Development Program, Small Disadvantage Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business concerns), to identify their capabilities in meeting the requirement at a fair market price.

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future.  This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service.  Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice.  The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder.  Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or IFB or RFP, if any is issued.  If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Governmentwide Point of Entry.  It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement.  The anticipated NAICS code(s) is: 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 1,000 employees.

A continuing need is anticipated for two (2) Portable Radiation Isotope Identifier Devices with Gamma Detector (LaBr3) + Neutron detector at the United States Military Academy.

The following are the specifications for Nuclear Engineering program’s two Portable Radiation Isotope Identifier Devices with Gamma detector (LaBr3) + Neutron detector:

1. Gamma detector with LaBr3 crystal at least 1 in diameter and 1.2 in height

2. Range of energy detection with low end at or below 30 keV and high end of at least 2.8 MeV

3. Gamma dose rate range with low end equal to or less than 0.001 μSv/h to high end of at least 10 mSv/h

4. At a dose rate of 0.5 μSv/h, Identifies the radionuclides less than 20 seconds

5. Neutron detection capability with range of neutron energy detection with low end at or below 0.025 eV and high end of at least 15 MeV

6. Identification of at least 3 nuclides simultaneously within internal libraries containing at least 50 nuclides

7. LCD screen with screen size at least 4 inchesh.USB connectivity

8. Rechargeable replaceable battery with battery life of at least 8 hours. Built-in charger

9. Mirion (Canberra) SPIR-ACETM with Gamma (LaBr3 1”x1.34”) and Neutron detectors meets or exceeds these specifications.

In response to this sources sought, please provide a capabilities statement:

1.  Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.

2.  Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not.  Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any.

3.  Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination. 

4.  Information to help determine if the requirement service is commercially available, including pricing information, basis for the pricing information (e.g., market pricing, catalog pricing), delivery schedules, customary terms and conditions, warranties, etc.

5.  Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition by and among small business concerns.

6.  Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition.  Please contact the MICC Advocate for Competition, Dennis Cook, at dennis.j.cook8.civ@army.mil, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition.  Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the SAM.gov notice.  Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.

7.  Recommendations to improve the approach/specifications/draft PWS/PRS to acquiring the identified items/services.