36 -- Request for Information on Explosive Detection Equipment

The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) is conducting market research for explosive detection equipment. USSS is interested in obtaining information on state-of-the-art, commercial off the shelf (COTS) system available, which would or could be adapted to satisfy the objectives as stated below. If your organization can provide a system with the stated capabilities and features as expressed below, please provide via electronic mail (e-mail) or post a response of no more than twenty (20) pages of your system’s specifications, capabilities, and abilities for adaptation to allow USSS to fully comprehend the nature, style and features of such system. Please provide the following information in your response: 1. Company name; point of contact(s) with telephone number(s), facsimile number(s) and e-mail addresses, if available. 2. A brief description of your general knowledge and experience within this technical/operational area with respect to the scope defined below. 3. A description of your system’s technical capabilities and their potential benefit in meeting the objectives of the USSS as provided below. Brochures and pamphlets may be provided. If any of these technologies are based on other government projects please provide the project name and government sponsor information. For the purposes of this market survey, all respondents shall consider the following Statement of Objectives as the required capabilities and features required by USSS. Any additional enhancements that may be provided should be mentioned in your response as well. The detector equipment shall: 1) Indicate the presence of drugs and explosives including novel explosives; 2) Have the flexibility to have new explosives, drugs and other threat agents added to the detection library; 3) Have a variety of password protected operator screens, from red/green light indication to full analytical results; Provide sampling instructions to the people being screened either by visual and/or audible means; 4) Be easily transported by one person; 5) Have a selectable range of analysis times; 6) Operate on 110v and 240v (selectable) line current; 7) Provide a wide range of diagnostic information; 8) Have check sources or other methods to ensure detector functionality; 9) Must pass FAA certification for trace explosive detection; 10) Be capable of being operated, stored, and transported in a variety of climates; 11) Be resistant to handling abuse; 12) Be able to be unpacked and be operational within 20 minutes; 13) Provide rapid screening and alarm resolution; 14) Have demonstrated reliability; 15) Be capable of obtaining samples from a variety of media (i.e. paper, plastic, etc.) with multiple dimensions (i.e. various thickness, width, and height); 16) The sampling shall be possible without the input of operator. All sampling will be initiated and performed by the people being screened; 17) People being screened shall not be able to view the results/analysis screen; 18) An easily-understood user's manual must be available; 19) Mean-time-between-failure data must be available; and 20) A network of response personnel should be available to respond in a timely manner to on-site performance problems and to perform maintenance. After assessing the results of this market survey, USSS will determine whether to proceed with any further evaluation in the future. Please note the fact that we are merely conducting a market survey. Based on the responses received to this request for information, a subsequent detailed request may be submitted to industry for the purpose of selecting candidate systems for capability demonstrations and testing purposes. USSS may respond with a questionnaire to ascertain additional information about your system. However, this request for information does not commit the USSS to any future acquisition activity. Please send your responses to Kelly Curtin by e-mail to [email protected] or mail to: Communications Center (PRO), P.O. Box 6500, Springfield, VA 22150. Thank you for your interest and participation. Responses must be received by 5:00 P.M (EST), Thursday, March 20, 2003.