B -- Source of Sought

The purpose of this announcement is to conduct market research and to invite interested offerors to submit capability statements to the work described in this synopsis announcement. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed standards for evidential breath alcohol test devices in the early 1970s, and began testing commercially available devices against those standards to create a qualified products list of devices meeting the standards. Those standards evolved into model specifications (guidelines) for evidential breath testers and NHTSA continues to maintain a Conforming Products List (CPL) of devices meeting the guidelines. Additionally, NHTSA has developed model specifications and CPLs for Alcohol Screening Devices (ASDs) and Calibrating Units (CUs) for evidential breath testers. Many states have incorporated NHTSA's model specifications and CPLs into their state-level rules, thereby using them to establish minimum performance requirements for devices used to support the enforcement and adjudication of DWI laws. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (VNTSC) is currently supporting NHTSA's Alcohol Countermeasure Laboratory program. The general requirements for this Alcohol Countermeasure laboratory program are to conduct the required testing to maintain the Conforming Products List (CPLs) for evidential breath testers (EBTs), Alcohol Screening Devices (ASDs), and Calibrating Units for EBTs (CUs for EBTs). For the evidential breath testers (EBTs), the test shall be conducted in accordance with Federal Register announcement, 58 FR 48705, published, September 17, 1993. The Alcohol Screening Devices shall be evaluated and tested in accordance to the model specifications outlined in Federal Register announcement, 59 FR 39382, published, August 2, 1994. To evaluate and test calibrating units for evidential breath testers, the model specifications can be found in Federal Register announcement, 62 FR 43416, posted, August 13, 1997 (copies of the Federal Register notices are available in the public domain at www.access.gpo.gov/nara or may be obtained from the above point of contacts). In addition, interested offerors would be required to assist NHTSA's development of new model specifications and their associated testing requirements; conduct bi-annual blood proficiency test program; work with national groups; support the Office of the Secretary of Transportation's workplace alcohol testing program in the various modes of transportation; and maintain basic laboratory capabilities. The written response must include detailed information relating to all the testing being requested. Expressions of interest without sufficient detail to permit evaluation of one's ability to conduct the necessary testing will not be considered. Also, in order to ensure that interested offerors have the capability to perform the required testing in accordance with the model specifications, NHTSA may require the offeror to demonstrate their capability at their own expense. This announcement is not a request for competitive proposals nor is it a vehicle by which to request a solicitation. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based upon responses to this announcement is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether there are other potential offerors capable of performing said work. In the absence of responses from interested offerors demonstrating their capability, NHTSA will conclude that there are no other offerors capable of performing said work. The listed procuring office must receive responses to this source of sought announcement within 45 days from the date of publication.