This Request for Information (RFI) solicits information about requirements, projects, and resources that will provide guidance for funding future research in the neutralization of biological agents using ionizing radiation. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons and Counterproliferation Agency (AFNWCA) and, specifically, the Advanced Technology Division, will use this information to possibly fund research in this area in support of current AFNWCA programs. The goal of the project is as follows: · To improve the current models of biological agent neutralization from ionizing radiation. · To update and provide a complete set of references such that this portion of the project can be considered state of the art. · To dovetail with current thermal neutralization research and with possible future experiments on thermoradiation. · To communicate and document the results in a manner consistent with peer-reviewed academic research. · To coordinate these results with the ongoing software development effort related to this project. The AFNWCA recognizes that within the domain of ionizing radiation research there are many "sub-domains" that are sufficiently diverse that they merit their own funding. TO focus research in more specific areas, we would like to stress the importance of high doses delivered in short times. The effects of high-energy photons, neutrons, and electron radiation are all important, as are dose-rate experiments. Responses to this RFI will be reviewed by the AFNWCA and will help to guide future funding and direct future initiatives in this area. This inquiry does not obligate the Government in any manner for any future acquisitions. This is not a notice of intent to contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request for information or otherwise pay for information solicited. The AFNWCA encourages users, consultants, systems integrators, and developers of life sciences research related devices, instruments, applications, databases, and systems to become involved with this process by responding to this RFI. The RFI response can consist of pre-existing product documentation, but should preferably be organized and presented in accordance with this RFI. This RFI seeks information to help the AFNWCA and the Advanced Technology Division make useful and efficient decisions in the life sciences research process. As one of the first steps in this process, the AFNWCA wishes to assess the current state-of-the-art in ionizing radiation systems, and to become more informed regarding existing standardization efforts in the field. Therefore, this RFI requests information on the following: · Currently available technology for ionizing radiation systems, · Interoperability requirements and issues when using such systems, · The results of prior analysis work in the domain, including models, as well as use case analyses, describing the behavior of biological organisms in such systems. · Proposed software components which would be composed together to create such systems, and potential interfaces between those components, · Existing implementations, · Existing standards and standardization efforts, legal issues, and their priorities. Respondents are asked to address areas in which they have expertise and/or interest. Please consider the purpose of this RFI when responding so your time is spent on issues that will be helpful to reviewers. Respondents may consider areas not explicitly asked for if they feel the information provides useful guidance for AFNWCA. In addition, we are requesting descriptions of trends that AFNWCA should be aware of as we prepare for these experiments. We request information on relevant information technology standards and life sciences research specific standards. Where multiple standards for an entity are important, respondents are asked to compare significant differences among them. It is also important to identify problems with current standards that prevent their acceptance or cause problems in their implementation. This RFI also requests information on standards bodies with which AFNWCA could cooperate productively. Specifically, the AFNWCA wishes to gain insight on the possible relationship between any current experiments and possible future experiments in these areas. We request information on significant laws or regulations that could have an impact upon the technology being adopted for standardization in life sciences research. These include contractual and licensing agreements, as well as specific laws and regulations. Organizations responding to this RFI shall designate a single contact within that organization for receipt of all subsequent communication regarding this RFI and any forthcoming RFPs. The name of this contact will be made available to all AFNWCA staff. Responses to this RFI must be received at AFNWCA no later than 5:00 PM US Mountain Time September 20, 2004. (See below for more details on receipt dates and addresses). However, earlier responses are encouraged. Responses received by September 20, 2004 will be given preliminary review at the October 2004 AFNWCA meeting. Documentation submitted in response to this RFI will be available to all AFNWCA staff. The following outline is offered to assist in the development of your response. You should include: · A cover letter -- the cover letter should include a brief summary of your response such as indicating which areas you are responding to and indicate if supporting documentation is included in your response. · Your response to any or all of the areas of information requested by this RFI. · If required, a glossary that maps terminology used in your response to Air Force standard terminology. Although the AFNWCA does not limit the size of responses, you are asked to consider that the AFNWCA will rely upon resources with limited time availability to review these responses. In order to assure that your response receives the attention it deserves, you are asked to consider limiting the size of your response (not counting any supporting documentation) to approximately 10 pages. If you consider supporting documentation to be necessary, please indicate which portions of the supporting documentation are relevant to this RFI. All communication, including telephone clarifications, regarding this RFI, including submissions, should also be sent to the contact below. Mrs. Staci Stolp AFNWCA(AT) 1551 Wyoming Blvd. SE Kirtland AFB, New Mexico 87117
[email protected] (505) 853-1193