State Department Issues RFI for Passport And Border Crossing Cards
The Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding Passport Card and Border Crossing Card (BCC) stock to continue production and printing of both using current equipment. The department is also seeking information on radio frequency attenuating sleeves, card printers, card readers, and the available technical support services that could facilitate the production, personalization or intended use of the card. Passport Cards are an alternative to book-style passports at U.S. land and some sea port-of-entry. The BCC is issued to qualified citizens and residents of Mexico and allows them to enter defined border zones in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas for business and pleasure. Sol. No. RFI_Passport_BCCcard. Respond by Jan. 28. Contact: Adrienne Bell, [email protected].
CBP Interested in LPR Technology Based on Open Architecture
Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Information Technology, Passenger Systems Program Office, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for License Plate Reader (LPR) technology based on open architecture. The Passenger Systems office has deployed integrated LPR and Radio Frequency Identification technology to hundreds of entry lanes into the U.S. to support the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goals of facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors while strengthening border security. The current LPR solutions at some time will reach the end of their useful life and require a technology refresh, therefore CBP is investigating the current state of LPR technology for a cost-effective replacement program or update of the current systems, or select portions of those systems. One key objective is to reduce the total system lifecycle cost by moving to a non-proprietary, open architecture solution. CBP is considering an update of over 500 LPR systems deployed to over 86 ports of entry. Sol. No. RFI-LPR-0001. Respond by Jan. 2. Contact: David Banks, [email protected], 317-614-4564.
DHS S&T Issues Draft BAA for Advanced X-Ray Material Discrimination
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) branch, Checked Baggage and Checkpoint Programs has issued a draft Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) aimed at enhancing capabilities for improvised explosive threat detection by reducing false alarm rates on multiple improvised explosive threat classes with improved probability of detection, while increasing screening throughput, supporting the Transportation Security Administration’s risk-based screening, and reducing equipment lifecycle costs. The BAA is not interested in responses proposing minor or incremental improvements. Transition periods of four to five years are expected although the agency is interested in technologies that may offer nearer term retrofit capability into the deployed Explosive Detection Systems and Advanced Technology X-Ray systems. Achieving revolutionary enhancements in IED threat detection requires new techniques for distinguishing the stream-of-commerce bag clutter from improvised explosive threats. Sol. No. BAA13-05. Contact: Carolyn Lethert, contract specialist, [email protected], 202-254-6931.
DHS S&T Issues BAA for Eye-Safe Trace Detection for Non-Aviation Use
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, Standoff Detect Program, has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Eye-Safe Trace detection solutions. The Eye-Safe Trace program will address the detection of trace explosives residues on a person and their belongings that may be indicative of a threat being present. Solutions would be deployed prior to non-aviation security checkpoints to provide early warning for threats entering the area. At a later time the Standoff Detect Program will address Person-Borne Threat Imaging. Technologies developed under the program are expected to be capabilities for the Federal Protective Services and the General Services Administration to use prior to their checkpoints. Sol. No. BAA13-06. Contact: [email protected].
DNDO Issues BAA for Exploratory Research and Call for Proposals
The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) Acquisition Division is seeking proposals for the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Exploratory Research and Call for Proposals program in direct support of the DNDO mission. The BAA will solicit proposals in Preventing Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism. Sol. No. BAA_CFP_FY13. Contact: Heather Poindexter, contracting officer, [email protected], 202-254-7094.
BAA Issued for Characterization Studies of Biological Threat Agents
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology branch, Chemical and Biological Defense Division, has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for characterization studies of biological threat agents. The BAA has five focus areas: the first is for studies to understand threat agent production rates and storage stability and decay rates; the second is for studies to understand the incubation time for disease onset after exposure using the best animal models; third is to understand morbidity and mortality rates using animal models; the fourth area is studies to better understand ID50 and LD50 for non-high consequence pathogens using the best animal models or by gathering credible and useful human data to better inform risk analysis; the final area is studies examining rational approaches to biological agent characterization given the ever-expanding list of agents of concern and shifting landscape in biotechnology. The goal of biological threat characterization is to improve the understanding of the impact of a biological attack on the country in order to enhance national preparedness. Sol. No. BAA13-008. Respond by Jan. 23. Contact: Aaron Ford, contracting officer, [email protected], 202-254-6302.
DISA Seeks Support for Cyber Security Protection
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has issued a Sources Sought notice to help it determine the availability of small businesses that can provide technical, engineering, integration and testing support to the Advanced Concepts Office for Enterprise Joint Capability Technology Demonstrations, Enabling Technologies, and Innovative Pilot capabilities. The work will include designing, implementing and evaluating software and application deployments to determine readiness for enterprise use while determining approaches to incorporate cross domain solutions into final deployed solutions. Contract functions would also include products, solutions and training to skilled individuals who perform planning, configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting to maintain the cyber security product in an enterprise environment. DISA is considering making the program a small business set-aside. Sol. No. Cyber_Security_Source_Sought. Respond by Jan. 2. Contact: Kim Oanh Scott, contract specialist, [email protected].
DNDO Issues RFI for Helium-3 Mitigation Program
The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Product Acquisition and Deployment Directorate has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for neutron radiation detectors for backpacks and handheld devices that don’t use Helium-3 technology. The RFI will be used to determine the feasibility of using commercial-off-the-shelf detectors that will be released into the commercial sector in the near future, with alternative radiation detectors than can rapidly detect threat materials such as nuclear weapons, improvised nuclear devices, special nuclear material, and the identification of non-threatening neutron emitting material such as moisture density gauges used in road construction. Sol. No. RFI_He3-Mitigation-Program. Respond by Jan. 18. Contact: Amanda Wylie, contract specialist, [email protected], 202-254-7230.
TSA Issues RFI for Third Party Testing Facilities of Transportation Security Equipment
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit security equipment testing entities’ capabilities to perform developmental test and evaluation of Transportation Security Equipment and to provide this information to equipment manufacturers interested in doing business with the agency. In an effort to expedite the testing, acquisition, and deployment of qualified systems, the TSA is promoting the establishment of preliminary system development gateways by identifying capable third party testing facilities. The purpose of creating this initial step is assist product developers and manufacturers in developing more mature systems prior to entering the formal TSA test and evaluation process. This third party testing would enable vendors to assess their systems against TSA requirements, enhance and mature their technology readiness, and subsequently reduce the time required to proceed through each phase of testing. Sol. No. HSTS04-13-S-CT9999. Respond by Jan. 11. Contact: Susan Messina, contracting officer, [email protected], 571-227-4055.
DHS Lab Seeks Information on Radiation Mitigation Blankets
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory is seeking information on commercially available Radiation Mitigation Blankets to meet the needs of emergency responders. The laboratory is an agent of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders program, which conducts objective assessments and validations on commercial equipment and systems and provides those results to the emergency response community. Sol. No. RFI-13-0003. Respond by Jan. 25. Contact: Karin Decker, [email protected].
DHS Plans Contracts for Security Equipment for FPS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to make up to three awards under a small business set-aside covering various security equipment within the National Capital Region over the next two years. The Federal Protective Service (FPS) provides various security equipment requirements, including but not limited to the complete installation of a duress alarm system, installation of Close Circuit Television Systems, and the installation of an Intrusion Detection System. Sol. No. HSHQEC-13-R-00006. Contact: Katelyn McCullough, contract specialist, [email protected], 215-521-3101.