Subject: Support to develop a Searchable Toner and Printing Inks Library for Forensic Identification and Linking of Printed Fraudulent Documents on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security, Directorate of Science and Technology, Division of Command, Control, and Interoperability (CCI). Response Date: November 03, 2008 Contact: Contracting Officer: Lisa Mattocks (
[email protected]) Agency: Department of the Interior, National Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate, Sierra Vista Branch. At this time, the Acquisition Services Directorate, Sierra Vista Branch intends to award, on behalf of Department of Homeland Security, a four (4) year (one base year plus three (3) option years) contract to a qualified contractor able to develop a searchable toner and printing inks library. If the results of this market survey indicate there are no potential qualified sources that can support this proposed effort, the Government will consider issuing a sole source contract. The estimated ceiling for this contract is $1,500,000.00. The requirement will require the execution of the following tasks: Year 1. 1. Collect 150 ink specimens each of toners, inkjet inks and impact inks (collectively referred to as print media) to serve as a corpus for experimentation. Total print media samples collected: approximately 450. 2. Undertake a literature search for each of the three ink categories. This should include an examination of necessary equipment for characterization and current practices in print media recognition, including pertinent patent descriptions of their physical properties and chemical composition. It is anticipated that characterization will likely utilize several of the following methodologies and instruments: thin layer chromatography, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Pyrolysis Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry (py-GC/MS), Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP/MS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDXA). The literature search shall include recommendations of methodologies and instruments to investigate in Option year 2. 3. Produce a report detailing network/software architecture, to include a discussion of confidence and search features, with the end goal to link characterizations produced by equipment capable of characterizing the print media examined during the study. Option Year 2. 1. Develop, or identify through experimentation, instrumental and analytical methods to arrive at an accurate characterization analysis of the print media. The methods should include, but are not limited to, the technologies researched in the task 1 literature search: (a) Thin layer chromatography(b)FTIR spectroscopy (c) py-GC/MS (d) LA-ICP/MS(e) SEM/EDXAAdditional analytical techniques that assist with the characterization and discrimination of the specified print media may be identified for experimentation and development. Final determination of necessary methods and required equipment will be determined through discussions with the DHS S&T COTR and approved by the DHS S&T Contracting Officer. It is expected that separate, stepwise methodologies will be developed for each of the specified print media, i.e. (a) toners, (b) ink jet inks, and (c) impact printing inks. 2. Begin characterization analysis of the print media. 3. Digitize print media to create organized database. 4. Collect additional print media specimens to complete ink library. Total number of print media samples: approximately 1,500. Option Year 3. 1. Create, define and refine database search criteria.2. Develop software tool that will provide statistical confidence levels for analyzing questioned print media.3. Create software tool to compare and link genuine and questioned documents via software. Option Year 4. 1. Complete collection (up to date) of print media.2. Finalize software for searching and analysis of print media libraries. Interested contractors are invited to identify their interest and technical capability for the requirement areas listed above, by close of business, 03 November 2008. Brochures alone are not sufficient documentation for demonstration of capabilities, conflict free redials, and unbiased status. Send written responses to Lisa Mattocks, DOI, NBC, Acquisition Services Directorate, Sierra Vista Branch, P.O. Box 12924, Fort Huachuca, AZ, 85670-2924, or via email to
[email protected]. Send facsimile responses to 520.538.0415. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. If responses to the market survey indicate there are no other properly qualified sources, Note 22 shall apply.