CERTIFIED SHIPPER PROGRAM Responses due: July 05, 2007 no later then 4:00pm US Eastern Time 1.0 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 1.1 RFI Objectives The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in gathering information from Industry regarding resource capabilities and methodologies that exist for performing on site air cargo supply chain security certifications, validations, inspections, and/or audit services. 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 Information Being Requested The government is contemplating the use of third party organizations to perform on site validations of shipper facilities to validate compliance with TSA security standards for facilities, procedures and personnel. TSA is requesting that organizations that are potential third party validators or have knowledge of related business practices respond to this RFI. 1.3 Executive Summary TSA, in support of the Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan, continues to implement a layered approach to cargo security throughout the air cargo supply chain. To achieve this layered approach without disrupting the flow of commerce, TSA considers it critical for trusted industry partners throughout the air cargo supply chain to share security responsibility for cargo transported by commercial air carriers. To strengthen this layered approach to air cargo security, TSA is considering a new initiative within the TSA's air cargo program. This initiative utilizes a facility-based validation process to confirm the shipper's facility adheres to published security standards developed by the TSA. Successful validation qualifies the shipper facility to be designated TSA certified. This TSA certification, a Certified Shipper, extends and enhances air cargo security by initiating security processes and procedures at the point of cargo origin. To perform the shipper validations contemplated in this initiative, TSA would accredit and utilize third party validators that would conduct onsite validations of a shipper and its facilities. These third party validators would have to be competent in validating at least, but not limited to, the following areas: 1. Physical Access Control 2. Personnel Security 3. Procedural Security 4. Security Training and Threat Awareness 5. Physical Security 6. Storage and Inventory 7. Information Security The third party validators would provide an objective and comprehensive validation of each shipper and its facility. These third party validators would document this validation process and report the results of each validation to TSA. This validation documentation would be critical information used by TSA to then determine whether or not a shipper's personnel, process, and technologies at a given facility meet TSA standards. The validation process would result in TSA either certifying or rejecting the company as a certified shipper. The decision to certify a shipper as part of the TSA air cargo shipper program would remain solely within the discretion of TSA. 1.4 Detail of this RFI Information requested: (1) Describe the capabilities that the organization possesses in conducting a range of inspection, validation, and/or audit services for security standards in the cargo supply chain in today's market. (2) Describe the skills, competencies, industry accreditation(s) and training of the organization's workforce employees to perform these services. (3) Describe the expertise or knowledge the organization possesses in standard security practices within the air cargo supply training. (4) State the geographic location(s) of the organization. Describe the locations or regions within the United States and location outside the United States that the organization currently deploys staff, and locations that the organization could deploy, for this type of service. (5) Describe the type of inspection, validation, and/or audit reporting system or mechanism that the organization supports. (6) Describe the organization's business practices that would ensure standardization and consistency in performing inspections, certifications, validations and/or audits. (7) Provide examples of the organization's current or proposed fee structure and the fee range(s) associated with performing inspection, validation, and/or audit services of the nature described in this RFI and/or for work currently being conducted. (8) Describe the type of background check and security clearance required of the organization's workforce. 2.0 RESPONDING TO THIS RFI 2.1 Instructions for Responding to this RFI Responses should not exceed twenty (20) pages and should be submitted no later then 4:00pm., July 5, 2007 US Eastern Time. Do not submit unsolicited proposals in response to this RFI, they will not be considered. Companies are asked to respond within the scope of the RFI. 2.2 Who May Respond to this RFI Responses are welcome from any organization in industry, government or academia that has practical knowledge of, and/or expertise in, validation, inspection, audit and/or certification services as an independent third party 2.3 How to Respond One electronic submission in machine-readable format (typically ASCII, MS Word, or WordPerfect format) should be sent electronically to
[email protected] Responses to this RFI must be received at TSA no later then 4:00pm July 5, 2007 US Eastern Time. 2.4 RFI Response Presentations and Demonstrations Organizations are invited to submit description(s) of their offerings and may be invited to an industry forum in the future. 2.5 RFI Response Contact Organizations responding to this RFI shall designate a single contact for receipt of all subsequent information regarding this RFI and the forthcoming series of RFPs. 2.6 Format of RFI Responses The following outline is offered to assist in the development of a response to the RFI. - A cover letter that includes a brief summary of this response, indicating which areas of the RFI this response covers, and also indicate whether or not supporting documentation is included in this response. - The response itself, covering any or all of the areas of information requested by this RFI. In order to assure that the response receives the attention it deserves, limit the size of the response to 20 pages. 2.7 Copyrighted Material Do not submit proprietary information in response to this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expense associated with responding to this RFI. 2.8 Questions Regarding this RFI Any technical questions regarding this RFI should be sent to:
[email protected]