OC Vapor RFI 1.0 Purpose This Request for Information (RFI) is part of a market research effort by the Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), Defensive Equipment and Armored Vehicles to assess less-than-lethal (LTL) technologies in the area of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Vapor. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), this RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this RFI. DEAV is conducting research to identify both operational and advanced prototype technologies. "Operational" in this context refers to existing technologies and equipment that are currently used in commercial and/or Government application, while "advanced prototype" in this context refers to proven and near-proven technologies that are expected to be available in the commercial and/or Government market in the next 30 to 36 months. DEAV intends to use the information collected from this RFI to conduct detailed systems analysis that quantifies and evaluates technology readiness and applicability, device or equipment capability, and acquisition (non-recurring) and life-cycle operating costs (recurring). You are invited to respond with information to assist DEAV with its market research to identify potential sources of OC Vapor technology. 2.0 Background DS is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. In support of this mission, DS employs several different LTL systems to protect personnel and property. DS is consistently working to expand the application of LTL technologies to deter and to compel compliance. It is anticipated that additional LTL resources could reduce the need for use of additional, possibly lethal force. 3.0 Requirements DEAV desires detailed information regarding OC Vapor technologies that can have proven non-lethal effects on human subjects. Submissions can include new applications of proven technologies but this request is not seeking any low Technical Readiness Level (TRL) concepts. The following information, or best available estimate, is requested for each proposed product/technology. If multiple products/technologies are presented by the same entity, the information should be specific to each product/technology. The information requested below will be used by DEAV to assess the benefits of OC Vapor capabilities against typical DS missions. The following questions/statements should be addressed for each product/technology described in your response to this RFI: A. General description of your OC Vapor capability. What products/technologies do you have that have the potential to compel compliance by LTL means? B. What agencies, governments, or other maritime service providers currently use the product/technology you described? C. If your technology is not currently available as a Commercial Off-the-Shelf product: (1) Are there any development efforts or test activities currently underway or planned to mature your product/technology and/or assess its maturity? (2) Describe the effort required to mature your advanced prototype product/technology to a fully tested, ready for production in terms of development time and expense. D. Please provide a response to the information requested and detail the measure(s) of effectiveness in the following list. (Please define all distances given in meters.) (1) If applicable, what is the minimum safe distance and time of exposure for use? (Verified by Manufacturer's Data or testing) (2) What is the maximum effective range? (3) What is the accuracy/dispersal rate while in a static environment? (4) What is the life expectancy of each canister, defined in years? If known, please delineate which component of system is the limiting factor. (5) What is the decontamination for both individuals and for facilities? (6) What is the disposal method of spent canisters? (7) Weapon type: • How can your products be integrated with currently fielded facility protection systems? • Can your products be used in open air for crowd dispersal? • Do your products have the capability of being fired from existing service weapons (i.e. shotgun with a launch cup/40mm)? • What types of pressurized dispensers (i.e. handheld, fire extinguisher) and/or hand thrown options can you provide? (8) What is the reliability, in terms of canisters failure rates or duds, for the described products? (9) What arethe Vapor end-effects (Stun, irritant delivery, etc.)? (10) What is the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost (canisters, concentration levels, launchers, integration with facility protection systems, etc.)? Note: If providing new technology, describe method of operation, propulsion method, safety features, etc. 4.0 Instructions Responses to this RFI should address all of the topics discussed in the 3.0 Requirements. Topics may be combined or treated individually. However, if information is not available for some of the topic areas, please make such a notation. When responding to the RFI, please include the following information: (1) A one-page cover letter that provides a brief summary of the response and indicating if supporting documentation is included. (2) Amplifying information that addresses all areas of information requested by this RFI in section 3.0 Requirements. If pre-developed marketing or technical information and specification sheets are provided, please include additional information, as necessary to "fill the gaps" between pre-developed material and the information required. Digital photographs, line drawings, and illustrations that clarify descriptive text are encouraged. (3) A description of any information relative to what products/technologies are currently available and what additional products/technologies may become available over the next 30 to 36 months. (4) If multiple products/technologies are presented by the same entity, the responses to these questions should be specific to each product/technology. (5) Provide a list of U.S. (or international) Government contracts for products/technologies where applicable. (6) Provide any digital photos and/or digital videos of the products/technologies in operation, if able. (7) In order to fully analyze the responses please include justification / amplifying information (e.g. reports, videos, actual applications, etc.) which supports your responses. (8) Please limit electronic responses to no more than 25 pages per product (12 Font)/technology (supporting documentation in the form of a glossary or attachments to the RFI response will not be counted towards the 25-page limit). If your RFI response is greater than 10 MB, please provide it on DVD media and mail it to the attention of Patrick Dermidoff (Contracting Officer) or Crystal Sutliff (Contracting Officer) at: U.S. Department of State AQM/WWD/SB, SA14, Room 100 1400 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209 Responses to this market survey should be sent via email to
[email protected] or
[email protected]. Any questions or comments regarding this RFI must be directed to the Contracting Officer via email.