The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) of the Department of Homeland Security is soliciting manufacturers interested in supplying commercially available gamma and neutron radiation detection systems for an upcoming test campaign. Systems to be tested are hand-held, backpack and mobile devices. The scheduled tests will characterize radiation detection performance in field-like conditions using realistic sources, threat representative test objects and operational employment scenarios. The results from these tests will be made available to interested government (Federal, State, and local) officials subject to classification guidelines. Prior to scenario-based testing, all systems will be pre-tested at the test site using selected radioactive sources from American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard N42.34 to validate that the systems meet the requirements listed below. Systems that do not meet the requirements listed below in pre-testing will be returned to the manufacturer and will not be utilized in scenario-based testing. At a minimum, hand-held instruments shall: be designed to meet ANSI standard N42.34 for the detection and identification of radionuclides; must have both gamma-ray and neutron detectors; perform near real-time radionuclide identification and provide gamma exposure or dose-rate measurements; detect photon energies from approximately 50 to 3000 keV and photon exposure rates from 50 micro R/h (measured at the instrument surface); be able to transfer data to a computer; be capable of operation if the user is wearing gloves or if the instrument is enclosed in anti-contamination protection (e.g., plastic bag); and operate on field-replaceable or rechargeable batteries for a minimum of 2 hours of continuous use. At a minimum, backpack systems shall: be wearable, have hands-free operation; weigh no more than 11 kg; have both gamma-ray and neutron detectors; have near real-time capability to distinguish man-made sources of gamma radiation from natural background; detect photon energies from approximately 50 to 3000 keV and photon exposure rates from 25 micro R/h (measured at the instrument surface); have separate indicators for detection of gamma and neutron radiation; notify user that radiation levels exceed a pre-determined threshold through audible and/or vibratory alarm (visual alarm optional) within 5 seconds of detection; be designed to prevent water ingress from rain, condensing moisture, or high humidity; and operate on field-replaceable or rechargeable batteries for a minimum of 8 hours of continuous use. At a minimum, mobile systems shall: have both gamma-ray and neutron detectors; be used in a road-worthy vehicle; capable of identification both while moving and while stationary; provide near real-time radionuclide identification; detect photon energies from approximately 50 to 3000 keV; detect and identify a 16 micro Curie Cs-137 source while moving at 5 mph at a distance of 3 meters (distance of closest approach); notify user that radiation levels exceed a pre-determined threshold through audible, visual, or vibratory alarm within 5 seconds of detection; provide real-time position information; store at least 3 days worth of data from continuous operation and transfer data to a computer; and operate on 12 Volts DC. Manufacturers should be aware that equipment may be damaged during testing. At the conclusion of testing, the equipment will be returned to the manufacturer, c.o.d., in the condition the equipment is in at the conclusion of the testing. Neither the Department of Homeland Security, nor its agents will be responsible for the condition of the equipment when returned to the manufacturer. As a condition for participating in this testing program, each manufacturer must agree in advance to hold harmless all of these parties for the condition of the equipment. Additional participation and testing conditions are as follows: 1. Interested manufacturers will provide to DHS detection systems, calibration certificates, complete instruction manuals with operating instructions and data formats, a short description of the instrument type, general use and performance (test results if available), a picture of the instrument, a list of specifications, customer lists if available, training materials if available, and the contact information for a technical representative of the manufacturer. 2. The list of instruments to be sent for testing shall include model number and type of detector as well as the category in which you are requesting to test each instrument. 3. For both hand-held and backpack systems, two identical units must be supplied. If a mobile system is to be tested, one unit must be supplied. 4. Only calibrated instruments will be accepted for the testing program. 5. The instruments should be shipped with optimized working parameters and software packages as no changes to the instrument other than alarm level settings will be permitted during testing. If manufacturers request to have their equipment tested under multiple parameter sets or with a different software package, then the manufacturer will submit more than one set of instruments, one for each set of parameters. 6. Manufacturers shall NOT send equipment without contacting DHS first to obtain shipping instructions and executing a Bailment Agreement. The Bailment Agreement shall be signed and returned to DHS before December 29, 2005 5:00pm Eastern Time. 7. Equipment must be shipped so it is received by DHS in Nevada by January 6, 2006. Only equipment received by the deadline will be tested. 8. Manufacturers will pay to ship systems to and from Nevada. 9. Manufacturers are not allowed to exchange instruments after the initial submission. If the manufacturer produces a newer model during the testing period this instrument may be tested at a future time. 10. Instruments that are not equipped with both gamma-ray and neutron detectors will be returned to the manufacturer without testing. 11. Systems failing to pass the pre-test will be returned to the manufacturer without further testing. 12. Non-operational systems will be returned to the manufacturer without further testing. 13. All testing will be conducted by DHS operators. 14. Subject to classification guidelines, manufacturers will be informed how well their systems performed. However, neither the actual test protocols nor the raw data will be provided to the manufacturer. 15. Systems must be received in Nevada by January 6, 2006 and will be returned at the conclusion of testing. Detailed logistics instructions will be provided upon request. 16. Manufacturers who wish to participate in the program must submit an executed Bailment Agreement by December 29, 2005. To obtain the Bailment Agreement, interested manufacturers must contact Brian Kehoe at
[email protected], (202) 254-2364. For technical information, contact Daniel Blumenthal at
[email protected], (202) 254-6186.