Added: Aug 12, 2008 6:15 pm
COHERENT X-RAY SCATTERING MARKET RESEARCH
RESPONSES DUE BY: 5:00 PM, U.S. Eastern Standard Time, September 12, 2008.
1.0 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
1.1 Introduction
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS/S&T); Explosives Division (EXD) desires to promote further development of Coherent X-Ray Scattering (CXS) (or Diffraction (CXD)) technology as a reliable method for identifying and/or detecting explosives in airport baggage. CXS is a high-interest research project being coordinated with the Transportation Security Administration s Chief Technology Office (TSA/CTO) and in conjunction with other Explosives Division R&D; activities.
This RFI is being issued to ascertain the level-of-interest and capabilities of private industry to develop prototype systems suitable for laboratory assessment by the Government. This RFI is issued solely for market research, planning and information purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder.
1.2 RFI Objectives
The Coherent X-ray Scattering (CXS) Project is a critical element in the broader Manhattan II and Explosives Research programs aimed at stimulating commercial industry development and integration of key enabling technologies, subsystems and advanced algorithms for application to next generation checked baggage systems that provide improved performance and affordability characteristics. S&T; informal market research has indicated that industry contractors either have mature coherent x-ray scattering technologies that do not currently meet TSA needs or immature technologies that need further development as prototype systems before being sufficiently mature to conduct a meaningful laboratory assessment and data collection process. It is anticipated that approximately 1 2 years additional development and integration effort will be required by commercial industry contractors in order to deliver to the Government prototype systems suitable for laboratory assessment and testing for aviation passenger carry-on and checked baggage screening venues.
Respondents to this RFI will be requested to provide sufficient information to determine pre qualification both as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), and as US companies or US-registered subsidiaries of foreign companies. Organizations or companies will be invited to submit descriptions of their offering in 10 pages or less. Please see Section 1.9 of this RFI for further information on the desired content of white papers submitted for consideration. Proprietary information, performance capabilities or future modification plans will be accepted and appropriately protected by the Government. Based on white paper submissions in response to this RFI, the Government may encourage interested companies to submit proposals to an S&T; Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for development and delivery of two prototype systems and related data. The two prototype systems are primarily intended for laboratory assessment of detection and throughput capabilities, however, affordability will be a future consideration based on acquisition planning by TSA. CXS prototype system capabilities will be assessed for potential deployment as stand-alone EDS or as adjunct, secondary screening devices as further discussed in Section 1.3; both configurations are welcome for submission.
1.3 Potential Concept of Operations (ConOps)
The preliminary technical requirements identified in Section 1.6 of this RFI are intended to provide sufficient guidance for interested respondents to understand the potential future ConOps under which TSA may consider further field testing of any prototype systems resulting from this solicitation. CXS systems could be used to identify explosive materials in checked or carry-on baggage, including alarm resolution as a secondary EDS device. Industry sources are requested to identify in their white paper the envisioned ConOps for a future CXS system as either a stand-alone security screening system or deployed in conjunction with current or future EDS equipment.
1.4 Technology Maturity
S&T; believes the current state of CXS detection technology indicates significant company-funded development and integration effort will be needed to achieve targeted Technology Readiness Levels. The maturity of any prototype system delivered to the Government for lab assessment should be consistent with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6 defined as follows:
TRL 5: Component validation in a relevant environment.
TRL 6: System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in relevant environment.
Interested respondents should address in their white papers the magnitude and duration of additional company-funded development effort that will be needed to achieve the Government s TRL objective for prototypical systems. For this RFI and any subsequent proposal, a component under the TRL 5 definition is considered to be the necessary subsystems to detect and identify threat materials, provide an operator interface and collect data in support of system performance assessment.
1.5 Preliminary Program Structure
This section of the RFI is intended to describe the preliminary program structure envisioned by the Government including ground rules, cost estimating assumptions and notional program milestones. Industry is expected to fund any necessary system development, integration and baseline testing in order to provide the following primary deliverables for any subsequent contract that may be awarded.
Two prototype systems for each selected contractor suitable for lab assessment delivered to Government with system description, technical data package and preliminary operations manual.
Industry develops and integrates key enabling technologies, subsystems and algorithms for two prototype systems (TRL 5-6 maturity) suitable for testing in lab environment to assess performance.
Industry conducts program review briefing, develops test plan and collects baseline performance data. Copy of information and data provided to Government.
The contract period of performance could be up to 2 years as determined by the Offeror. Estimated target cost for a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract would be approximately $2-3M for each selected contractor for procuring the contractor proposed system information, all hardware, and baseline performance data. A preliminary cost estimate is requested in any white paper responses to this RFI.
Government will purchase two hardware systems and associated technical information and data at fixed cost but will use phased payment of total contract cost based on series of payable milestones.
S&T; does not intend to select the system design or contract for developmental engineering efforts. The Government would get a summary briefing of system capabilities and appropriate baseline testing data to demonstrate proper operation and readiness for delivery to the Government.
Contractor test data and performance projections would be provided to the Government to support Government lab assessment. The two purchased systems from any selected contractor would be delivered to Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) for lab assessment and potentially transferred to TSA's new T&E; center (TSIF) for pilot testing.
The contractor would provide technical support for their systems using a follow-on contract option for a period of up to one year. Contractors will have access to some of the pilot testing data depending on classification but not the government assessment of performance.
Any future acquisition plans for a Coherent X-ray Scattering system would be determined by TSA. S&T; and TSA would cooperatively collect operational data during any lab or pilot testing for assessment of the system to meet TRD performance objectives and to develop future acquisition plans.
Based on industry white paper responses to this RFI, S&T; is planning to use a BAA solicitation to award firm fixed price contracts to deliver two prototype systems suitable for laboratory assessment. Any contractor interested in submitting a proposal will also assume responsibility for final design, manufacture and integration to meet requirements that will be further defined in a Technical Requirements Document (TRD) issued at a future date.
Any proposals submitted to the Government under the BAA would be required to discuss the scope and schedule plans for conducting a contractor program review, providing overall system description and technical data package, delivery of two systems for Government testing, and providing contractor technical support for approximately one year laboratory or pilot testing. S&T; has developed the following notional model for payable milestones and is requesting contractor comments or recommendations in conjunction with any white papers or subsequent proposals. During execution of any awarded contracts, completion of the milestone and subsequent invoice payment would be based on S&T; Program Manager approval or concurrence. A notional set of payable milestones (based on a notional 24 month total period of performance) are as follows:
Contractor Program Review Estimated six (6) months after contract award (ACA); successful completion criteria is comprehensive briefing on system design and performance objectives; completion payment = 10% of contract total cost.
Contractor T&E; Plan and Data License Complete Estimated twelve (12) months ACA; successful completion criteria is agreed test plan to demonstrate system operation and performance and a Data Access License Agreement (if needed); completion payment = 10% of contract total cost.
Contractor First Prototype Power On Estimated eighteen (18) months ACA; successful completion criteria is power on and successful operation of first prototype system; completion payment = 30% of contract total cost.
Contractor Second Prototype Power On and Commencement of Lab Testing Estimated twenty two (22) months ACA; successful completion criteria is power on and successful operation of second prototype system and commencement of contractor conducted lab testing; completion payment = 30% of contract total cost.
Contractor Completion of Lab Testing Estimated twenty four (24) months ACA; successful completion of agreed test plan and delivery of both prototype systems and data to the Government = 20% of contract total cost.
Priced option for contractor provided support to government for 1 year duration after delivery of first system = TBD cost.
1.6 Preliminary Technical Requirements
The preliminary technical requirements identified in this Section of the RFI are intended to provide sufficient guidance for interested respondents to understand the desired capabilities and performance of any prototype systems resulting from this solicitation. Prototype CXS systems and/or subsystems should demonstrate the following capabilities:
Detects and identifies a wide variety of military, commercial and homemade explosives (HME) that could be concealed in airport baggage.
Meets or exceeds current TSA EDS certification standards.
Discriminates between explosives and non-threat substances in airport baggage.
Identifies (preferred) specific explosive materials, or at a minimum, detects the presence of explosives.
False Alarm Rates (FAR) of less than five percent (5%).
Minimum system throughput (in a stand-alone commercial aviation Checked Baggage screening application) of 300 bags per hour (bph) and a mean process time of less than ten (10) seconds per bag.
Compatible with current TSA checked baggage x-ray system size and weight constraints.
Compliant with all TSA system safety specifications for explosives detection systems. Safety compliance will be verified by an OSHA-accredited 3rd party laboratory.
Provides a fully-specified and documented data retrieval capability that enables download of raw and reconstructed image data and system configuration information from the system. This interface must also provide structured access to any on-board store of this type of data.
A more extensive TRD will be developed in coordination with TSA. In addition to the above desired capabilities, it is anticipated that the TRD will describe explosive materials to be identified and/or detected, minimum detection rates, acceptable false alarm rates, potential deployment ConOps, and operator interfaces. The TRD will be "Sensitive Security Information (SSI), sensitive but unclassified, and will be provided separately for interested companies submitting proposals to the BAA.
United States citizenship is a prerequisite to receiving SSI. Prior to receiving a copy of the TRD or laboratory assessment data, individuals must submit a signed copy of the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that accompanies this RFI.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only companies with a bona fide need to know (i.e. original equipment manufacturing (OEM) companies that develop and produce explosive detection systems or subsystems) will be eligible to receive a copy of the SSI TRD. Retailers, dealers or other interested parties are not eligible to receive the TRD.
1.7 Data Rights and Image Format Standards
Data rights requirements for the CXS project will be consistent with other TSA data rights policies and standard procedures for new detection technologies and prototype screening systems. S&T; desires to maintain all rights to the raw image data produced by the prototype system, including all related data required to convert raw data into reconstructed images. This data shall be provided to S&T; and/or TSA upon request, along with the means and methods to reconstruct and manipulate the images.
Performance under any contract awarded for development and testing of a prototype system will involve access to sensitive security information (SSI) and/or classified information up to the level of CONFIDENTIAL. The contractor shall ensure that all appropriate security and protection actions are taken. A DD-254 will be included in the contract at time of award.
Data collected pursuant to any subsequent contract and other relevant Government-sponsored activities, will be Government property. Specifically, the Government will have unlimited rights to all raw and reconstructed image data and hardware configuration information to allow image reconstruction. Government data rights will include the right to use, reproduce, and distribute such data to third party software algorithm developers. The Government will accept reasonable protections regarding transfer of data to third parties.
1.8 Laboratory Assessment Data and Results
Laboratory assessment data and results have been determined to be "Sensitive Security Information (SSI)" and may be classified in accordance with appropriate Government Security Classification Guidance documents. United States citizenship is a prerequisite to receiving SSI.
Companies will be given access to data collected during their system s laboratory assessment, but not the results of the Government s assessment of their system. Prior to receiving a copy of the TRD or laboratory assessment data, individuals must submit a signed copy of the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that accompanies this RFI.
The Government will provide a technical briefing to contractors at the conclusion of laboratory assessment.
1.9 Information Requested
At a minimum, white papers submitted in response to this RFI should address each of the following topics:
Company technical capabilities and approach. This information should be sufficient to allow the Government to make a well-informed decision regarding the company s potential to deliver a TRL 5-6 system for laboratory assessment in 12-24 months.
An assessment of the current state of maturity of the company s CXS system, laboratory-type system, or subsystem(s) in accordance with the S&T-provided; TRL definitions.
An assessment of the scope and duration of additional engineering or technology development needed to produce a laboratory assessment-ready CXS system.
The anticipated contract period of performance and preliminary cost estimate for a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for procuring the contractor proposed system information, all hardware, and baseline performance data.
An assessment of the future prototype system s anticipated detection, throughput and FAR performance, either as a stand-alone EDS or as an adjunct, secondary screening device.
A description of alternative prototypical systems that S&T; or TSA should consider purchasing for laboratory assessment, including a description of any system documentation and operator manuals needed for laboratory assessment.
A description and supporting documentation of any company-conducted or company-sponsored test results that summarize testing processes, detection performance, false alarm rates and threat identification capabilities.
A declaration of any intellectual property associated with the described CXS technology.
A brief history of related U.S. Government-funded work.
2.0 RESPONDING TO THIS RFI
2.1 General Guidelines
White papers should be no more than TEN (10) pages in length including any and all appendices and attachments.
Submissions must be received no later than 5:00 PM, U.S. Eastern Standard Time, September 12, 2008.
Any company proprietary information, performance capabilities and/or future modification plans should be clearly identified and marked.
Companies are solely responsible for any and all expenses incurred pursuant to responding to this RFI.
Unsolicited proposals in response to this RFI will not be considered.
2.2 Content of Submissions
One electronic submission in machine-readable format (typically PDF, ASCII, MS Word, or WordPerfect format) should be sent electronically to the DHS S&T; Contract Specialist:
Kristian Jovanovic
Contract Specialist
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
Office of Procurement Operations
Science and Technology (S&T); Acquisition Division
Phone: 202-254-6071
Kristian.Jovanovic@dhs.gov
Submissions should include:
A one page cover letter that provides a brief summary of the response and indicating if supporting documentation is included.
A white paper that addresses all areas of information requested by this RFI.
2.3 Who May Respond?
White paper responses are welcome from any CXS technology OEM company with a system or system components that can achieve, within the approximate 24-month time frame, TRL 5 or 6 for Government laboratory assessment in accordance with the preliminary technical requirements. Submissions from retailers, dealers or other interested parties will be rejected.
2.4 Company Contact Information
RFI respondents shall designate a single point of contact for receipt of all information pursuant to this RFI.
2.5 Copyrighted Material
Responses to the RFI will not be returned. If proprietary information is included in the response to this RFI, be aware that all materials may be used to develop Government documentation.
2.6 Requests for Additional Information
Questions and requests for additional information should be sent to the COTR.
2.7 Laboratory Assessment Location
Postal Code: Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL)
WM J. Hughes Technical Center
Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405
Country: United States
Added: Sep 04, 2008 5:01 pm
5 September 2008 is the close date for questions.
Coherent X-ray Scattering Market Research
Solicitation Number: DHSRFI081208
Posted Date: August 12, 2008
Response Date: September 12, 2008
Questions submitted to the RFI:
Question #1: Are these services currently being provided by an incumbent? If so, would it be possible to know the vendor name and contract number? Is there a program officer for this project, and if so, what is the contact information?
Answer #1: Coherent X-ray Scattering is not currently used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for screening checked baggage in an aviation venue. There are some prototype coherent scattering systems being tested in selected airports in Europe. All questions concerning this RFI should be forwarded to the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer POC listed in the solicitation. An S&T; Principal Investigator/Project Manager will be identified in the future for coordination with industry.
Question #2: Is S&T; interested in a technology that isn't Coherent X-ray, such as incoherent neutron scattering (Associated Particle Imaging)? If DHS would like to review the technology alongside Coherent X-rays we would be happy to respond in detail to the Sources Sought.
Answer #2: S&T; is primarily interested in Coherent X-ray Scattering because of prototype evaluations and data that have provided a reasonable level of confidence in the technology s performance, particularly with respect to false alarm rates. This RFI is primarily focused on Coherent X-Ray Scattering Technology. If an interested respondent intends to propose some other technology, for which there is no data from either prototype evaluations or TSA certification, then it is incumbent on the respondent to provide sufficient substantiation or considerable evidence of actual or projected performance of the technology s ability to meet preliminary requirements to warrant consideration as an alternative to coherent scattering technology. Of particular interest will be special attention to claims of size, weight, throughput, maintenance and detection levels and false alarm rates.
Question #3: Is S&T; interested in system components or detection technology advances with potential for consideration in the next generation Coherent Scattering System?
Answer #3: No, S&T; is not interested in white papers for system components. We are interested in prototype systems that may include advances in coherent detection technologies and we are receptive to potential teaming arrangements that explore improved performance capabilities in next generation screening systems.
For example, S&T; has funded the development of a novel X-ray source based on Carbon Nanotube technology which includes provisions to license the technology to other industry participants under non-exclusive agreements. The spatially distributed multi-pixel x-ray source was recently developed at XinRay Systems. The source can generate x-ray radiation from multiple points on the x-ray anode, either sequentially to produce a scanning x-ray beam or simultaneously. The potential applications of this new source include high speed CT imaging and coherent x-ray scattering. For coherent scattering, this new technology can significantly increase the throughput and simplify the system design by eliminating the mechanical scanning components. It is expected that the new source can provide comparable power and flux as the conventional X-ray sources used in the current systems.
Respondents are invited to leverage this source, and/or other 3rd party innovations to develop Coherent X-Ray Scattering based systems with improved performance capabilities. Respondents should explain how they plan to integrate any new or novel technologies and their associated risk mitigation efforts during development of prototype systems for laboratory assessment.
Question #4: If I don t have appropriate facilities at my company for handling explosive materials, what arrangements will S&T; offer to enable my company to collect data for detection of threat materials?
Answer #4: S&T; is considering the development of a standard set of test simulants that could be provided to each company that is awarded a contract for development of a prototype system. These simulants could include examples of benign materials that routinely create CT false alarms or are sufficiently similar to potential threat materials to serve as a means to demonstrate system performance and resolution of coherent spectra for laboratory analysis. S&T; may consider offering contractors developing prototype systems the opportunity to bring their systems to the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) at Atlantic City International Airport, NJ for basic spectra collection or more extensive data collection using their hardware prior to formal delivery for laboratory assessment.
Question #5: Does S&T; anticipate establishing standard data formats to facilitate comparison of performance testing results across multiple companies?
Answer #5: Yes, S&T; is considering establishing a Coherent X-ray Scattering Technical Coordination Forum that includes subject matter experts from other Government organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and DOE National Laboratories, Academia, and industry participants that are under contract to S&T; for development of prototype systems. This forum would be chartered to develop a broad consensus on the best performance measures or quality standards for evaluating coherent scattering spectra from prototype systems for laboratory analysis.
Question #6: Does S&T; anticipate providing coherent spectra for known explosive materials?
Answer #6: Yes, S&T; intends to provide an initial data package with the Technical Requirements Document (TRD) that includes spectra of threat and non-threat materials from various instruments with differing levels of resolution.
Question #7: Does S&T; anticipate providing awardees under the BAA with the Government s laboratory assessment test plan?
Answer #7: Yes, S&T; will coordinate with all awardees for cooperative development of the general laboratory assessment test plan so that awardees develop their performance data package to substantiate readiness for delivery to the Government. Each vendor will be required to provide substantiation of the performance of their system prior to admission for testing and assessment.
Question #8: When would any potential contracts under the BAA be awarded?
Answer #8: S&T; anticipates requesting submissions of proposals in late October or early November 2008 and subsequent award of any potential contracts in early 2009.
Question #9: What volume of machines would be expected to be procured in the future?
Answer #9: Any future procurement actions will be determined solely by the Transportation Security Administration and are not directly related to this project.
Question #10: What is the criteria and timing for production procurement?
Answer #10: See answer to Question #9.
Question #11: Should alternative systems be included in the CXS response or submitted separately?
Answer #11: See answer to Question #2.
Question #12: With which EDS systems would the CXS be expected to operate?
Answer #12: As stated in the RFI Section 1.3, CXS systems could be used to identify explosive materials in checked baggage or carry-on baggage, including alarm resolution as a secondary EDS device. Therefore, it should be assumed that any future CXS system deployed in an operational security screening venue should be capable of interfacing with any EDS system through a standard interface to be specified by the Government. However, the ability of prototype CXS systems to operate with multiple EDS systems is not one of the primary objectives for laboratory assessment under this project. Current EDS specifications will be referenced in the TRD to ensure any prototype systems delivered to the Government for lab assessment are consistent with TRL 5-6.
Questions #13: What configurations are envisioned for the system? In-line, standalone, or in search room? Large airports, small airports, or both?
Answer #13: Any company submitting a white paper in response to the RFI should clearly indicate which configurations and associated performance tradeoffs their prototype systems could be effectively deployed under.
Question #14: Is the research program purely investigative?
Answer #14: If the intent of the question is to determine if any future production program exists, see the answer to Question #9. The RFI is being issued to ascertain the level-of-interest and capabilities of private industry to develop prototype systems suitable for laboratory assessment by the Government. The answer to Question #5 above also indicates S&T; intends to use this project to advance the state-of-the-art and knowledge associated with coherent X-ray scattering technologies for aviation screening applications.
Question #15: Is the required throughput of 300 bags/hr unbiased, i.e. not tied to the false alarm rate of an upstream system?
Answer #15: Yes. See answer to Question #13.
Question #16: Is there an expectation of higher throughput possibilities?
Answer #16: Yes, 300 bags/hr is generally considered a minimum throughput but higher rates are not desired at the expense of increased false alarm rates.
Question #17: What are the expectations for the system footprint, dimensions?
Answer #17: The RFI Sections 1.5 and 1.6 state CXS prototype systems would be delivered to Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) for lab assessment and potentially transferred to Transportation Security Administration s (TSA) new T&E; center (TSIF) for pilot testing and should be compatible with current TSA checked baggage x-ray system size and weight constraints.
Question #18: What tunnel opening size is required?
Answer #18: See the answers to Questions #12 and 17.
Question #19: Is the system expected to detect in all categories at present certification standards? At Manhattan II standard?
Answer #19: For the purpose of lab assessment of prototype systems, the current certification standards used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be considered. Companies may identify and explain any potential improved performance for future standards being considered by TSA in their white papers and the necessary technology or algorithm maturation investments that would be necessary. The Government reserves the right to perform any additional assessment testing at its own discretion, independent of specific TSA detection requirements.
Question # 20: We are interested in the RFI for Coherent X-ray Scattering Market Research and wondered if the RFI extends to UK companies/Universities or is it restricted to US organisations only?
Answer #20: Section 1.6 of the RFI indicates in the note that only original equipment manufacturing (OEM) companies that develop and produce explosive detection systems or subsystems will be eligible to receive a copy of the SSI TRD. U.K. companies that have U. S. affiliates that meet this criteria or establish teaming agreements with U.S. based OEMs are welcome to participate during this phase of the program.
Question #21: We are considering the RFI on Coherent X-ray Scattering for possible participation. However, our experience is that U.S. citizenship is not a prerequisite for receiving SSI. Your RFI Section 1.6 states that "United States citizenship is a prerequisite to viewing SSI" in regard to this effort. Since our x-ray Center of Excellence is in Germany, can you please clarify how SSI will be applied to this effort and verify that U.S. citizenship will be a requirement to view SSI.
Answer #21: We anticipate the Technical Requirements Document (TRD) will carry the SSI security caveat to fully identify the anticipated requirements of the desired prototype systems. Because of the potential for coherent X-ray scattering as an enabling new detection technology, S&T; specified the restriction of U.S. citizenship as a prerequisite for receiving SSI during this phase of the program. However, Foreign Nationals who wish to have access to the TRD will be required to complete a Foreign National Access Request form and a non-disclosure agreement. This information will be used to determine suitability and need to know for access to the TRD. Please see answer #20 for possible teaming arrangements that also apply to receipt of SSI materials.
