TSA Unveils Plans for AIT-2 Solicitation
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on about Jan. 17 plans to issue a solicitation for the second generation Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), or AIT-2, which will be used as a primary screening device to inspect a passenger’s body for concealed weapons, explosives and other prohibited items. A key requirement of AIT-2 is the inclusion of Automated Target Recognition capability, which reduces privacy concerns and decreases passenger processing time. The agency says that AIT-2 may also serve as a platform for potential integration of metal detection and or shoe scanning. Sol. No. HSTS04-12-R-CT2011. Contact: Melyssa Bertucci, [email protected], 571-227-2521.
TSA Issues Solicitation for Medium Speed EDS
Three months later than expected, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a Request for Proposal for a competitive procurement of medium-speed explosive detection systems (EDS) worth up to $691 million over a five-year period. TSA says it expects to order 80 EDS units per year under the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract from multiple contractors. Currently L-3 Communications and Safran’s Morpho Detection, Inc., supply TSA with medium-speed EDS. TSA plans to establish a qualified product list based on current market-ready systems that meet explosives detection performance in line with Electronic Baggage Screening Program requirements established in Jan. 2010. Before a system can be added to the QPL it must successfully complete an operational testing and evaluation phase. The RFP alls for rolling admissions so that potential bidders can submit proposals at different times. Sol. No. HSTS04-11-R-CT1270. Respond by Jan. 13, March 31 and June 30. Contact: Katya Cruz, contract specialist, [email protected], 571-227-1442.
DHS Issues RFP for First Source II
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Enterprise Acquisitions Division has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the First Source II acquisition, which is to establish contracts with experienced information technology value added resellers to provide a variety of commercially-available IT commodities, solutions, and value-added reseller services to support DHS programs in accomplishing their missions. A primary goal of this acquisition is to generate cost avoidance and savings by leveraging the buying power of DHS and its components, resulting in lower prices to the government. DHS plans to award multiple indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts for commercial items. Sol. No. RFI-FirstSourceII. Respond by Feb. 15. Contact: Phorsha Peel, contracting officer, [email protected], 202-447-5224.
Army Research Lab Seeks Proposals on Biometric Functionality in Select Focus Areas
The Army Research Laboratory, on behalf of the Biometrics Identity Management Agency (BIMA) and the Defense Biometrics and Forensics Office, seeks proposals for the development and demonstration of biometric functionality across the following four focus areas: Rapid Verification for Physical Access, for which the Defense Department is interested in innovative biometric technologies and integrated systems for controlling physical access to a military facility; Fingerprint Card Scanner Capability to enable DoD to accurately process a variety of paper-based fingerprint cards, extract both the biometric and biographical information, and populate a transmission file that meets the DoD transmission specification so that it can better share data with a number of international partners; Biometrics in Support of Enduring DoD Missions and Strategies, including integrated systems that support non-combat, enduring DoD missions such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and non-combatant evacuation operations; and Novel Technology and uses for Biometrics, such as improved collect and match capabilities for warfighters. Accepted proposals should lead to a tangible demonstration in no less than one year. The typical performance period is nine months to one year and the funding level for each award is expected to be within $750,000. Demonstrations and assessments will be performed in coordination with BIMA. Sol. No. W911QX12R0006. Respond by Jan. 13. Contact: Dr. Keith Aliberti, [email protected], 301-394-2320.
BIMA Issues RFI for Synthetic Biometric Modalities
The Army Biometrics Identity Management Agency (BIMA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to determine the viability and approaches available to develop synthetic (artificial) biometric modalities that create synthetic personnel. The objective of the effort is datasets of unique artificial personnel with complete manufactured biometrics that are realistic and typical of the data quality provided in the sample set from BIMA. Modalities that would be included in the dataset are 10-rolled and 10-flat fingerprints, facial images from a front pose, and left and right iris images. The dataset may be as large as 1 million artificial personnel. Sol. No. W91QUZ-12-1-0000. Respond by Jan. 9. Contact: Aaron Nance, Army Contracting Command, [email protected].
CBP Seeks Comments on Draft Objectives for Electronic Admission Stamp Initiative
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Request for Information in support of a draft Statement of Objectives for the Office of Field Operations Electronic Admission Stamp Initiative. The current admission stamp for every traveler entering the U.S. from foreign territories receives an admission stamp that is applied manually to their passport and uses security ink. CBP would like to transition to an electronic admission device to improve security, modernize the admission process, and establish a cost-effective solution to automation. The effort may eventually result in a firm-fixed price contract. Respond by Jan. 9. Contact: [email protected].
CBP Issues RFI for Mobile Video Surveillance System
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for industry information on existing commercial mobile video surveillance systems (MVSS) to help the agency refine requirements and form an acquisition strategy for MVSS. The agency is not interested in systems in the developmental phase. The agency plans to use MVSS technology to enhance its agents’ ability to detect and track illegal incursions and to provide agents with improved situational awareness between the ports of entry. The MVSS would be deployed as part of a tailored, layered approach to improve situational awareness along the U.S. southwest border. Sol. No. HSBP11RFIMVSS. Respond by Jan. 9. Contact: Nicole Hubby, [email protected].
DHS S&T to Review Airborne Wide Area Surveillance Systems
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate has issued a pre-solicitation notice in anticipation of an effort to have contractors demonstrate their Wide Area Aerial Surveillance System (WAASS) in a land border environment through flight testing. S&T anticipates awarded two to three firm-fixed price contracts to contractors for the upcoming demonstrations. The WAASS must fit within the size, weight and power parameters of a Customs and Border Protection P-3 Orion aircraft or a Predator B unmanned aircraft systems. The primary objective of the WAASS is to provide persistent, long-term surveillance over urban and rural terrain at least the size of 16 square kilometers. The system shall have an electro-optic capability for daylight missions ban can have an infrared capability for day or nigh operations. The imager shall be displayed at a DHS operations center and have the capability for forensic analysis within 36 hours of the flight. Sol. No. RSBR-12-00016. Contact: Carolyn Smith, [email protected], 202-254-6843.
DTRA Plans Industry Days on Biosurveillance Ecosystem Technologies
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) plans to host two Industry Days this month to provide advanced planning information on its chemical and biological technology areas of interest. The goal is to develop an interoperable biosurveillance (BSV) ecosystem that will dramatically accelerate “detect-identify-respond” capabilities. Specific areas of interest include development of an overarching BSV ecosystem that will virtualize and integrate the full spectrum of BSV data and analytic tools with BSV users, development and integration of dynamic feedback loop mechanisms within the ecosystem, creation of a BSV analyst workbench, and automation of the relationship between BSV data and analysts. The Industry Days will be held on Jan. 17 in the Silicon Valley area of California, and on Jan. 19 in Dulles, Va. Sol. No. BSVFIT. Respond by Jan. 12. Contact: DTRA Biosurveillance, [email protected].
NIST Seeks Info on Computer and Information Security Services
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Information Technology Laboratory, Computer Security Division, has issued a sources sought notice under a requirement for multiple contractors to provide technical expertise and consultation in multiple specified areas of cyber and information security to ensure that the division’s mission can be met to provide standards, technology, tools, and practice’s to protect the nation’s information and information systems. NIST expects to award multiple indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts with an estimated ceiling value of $70 million over a base-year and four one-year options. Sol. No. SB1341-12-CISS. Respond by Jan. 5. Contact: Keith Bubar, contract specialist, [email protected], 301-975-8329.