SOURCES SOUGHT
H -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is promoting the establishment of preliminary system development gateways by identifying capable third party testing facilities of Transportation Security Equipment (TSE)
- Notice Date
- 12/13/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541330
— Engineering Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, Headquarters TSA, 601 S. 12th Street, TSA-25, 10th Floor, Arlington, Virginia, 20598, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20598
- Solicitation Number
- HSTS04-13-S-CT9999
- Point of Contact
- Susan Messina, Phone: 571-227-4055
- E-Mail Address
-
susan.messina@dhs.gov
(susan.messina@dhs.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1.0 OVERVIEW/INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit security equipment testing entities' capabilities to perform developmental test and evaluation of Transportation Security Equipment (TSE) and to provide this information to equipment manufacturers interested in doing business with TSA. In an effort to expedite the testing, acquisition, and deployment of qualified systems, the Transportation Security Administration (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 to assist Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in developing more mature systems prior to entering the formal TSA T&E process. This "third party testing" concept will allow OEMs 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 because systems that successfully transition will be more capable of meeting TSA operational effectiveness and suitability requirements. Third party testing will also advance TSAs and OSCs efforts to deliver effective and innovative security technologies. TSA has consistently embraced three core goals related to its acquisition of new security screening systems and technologies: • Deliver security systems demonstrating improved operational performance and security effectiveness • Accommodate successful integration of new technologies with ongoing security operations and existing technologies and infrastructure • Facilitate competition among multiple qualified manufacturers TSA believes that by its support and identification of third party testing capabilities and by providing the OEMs and potential testers with the applicable TSA requirements and testing documentation specific to the systems under development, the OEMs will submit more mature systems to TSA for qualification testing; thus, allowing TSA to meet its acquisition goals. 2.0 INDUSTRY RESPONSE 2.1 COVER LETTER (1 PAGE) The cover letter must clearly identify the following information: 1. Company's Name 2. Company's Address 3. DUNS Number 4. Point of Contact(s) (Name, title, email, and phone number) 5. Identify your business size - small, small disadvantaged, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged, HUBZone small, woman-owned small, veteran-owned small, service-disabled veteran-owned small - based upon NAICS Code 541611 "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services" with a size standard of $14 million. 2.2 TESTING CAPABILITIES STATEMENT (5 PAGES) In order for the TSA to improve its understanding of market capabilities and identify potential vendors/performers that are capable of providing third party testing support to the OEMs, the testing entity's response must, through a narrative description, identify their firm's capabilities to conduct tests of TSE at their facilities. Examples of relevant testing includes (but is not limited to), explosives detection, integration testing with passenger checkpoint or baggage handling systems, interoperability testing, human factors assessments, and environmental testing. Commercial or federal examples are permitted. When identifying current or past experience, please identify the following: 1. Name of Customer 2. Point of Contact (name, title, phone, and email) 3. Period of Performance 4. Scope of the Effort 5. Brief Description of the Work completed within the Scope of the Contract/Task Order The capabilities statement shall not exceed five (5) pages in length. 2.3 WHITE PAPER (5 PAGES) The third party testing process is not defined nor funded by the Government, and a contractual relationship with TSA and the third party testing entity will not be formed. It will be a relationship between the testing entity and the OEM. Responses to this RFI should include a white paper that describes how the process would work from the perspective of the test facility in a relationship with the OEM. Specific topics that should be covered include: 1. A process for allocating test requirements to third party testing organizations 2. Government furnished information (GFI) that would be required to complete testing 3. Anticipated timelines for various types of testing 4. Funding mechanisms that would incentivize successful test outcomes (NOTE: the Government will not fund third party testing initiatives) 5. Risks of using third parties to conduct testing and potential mitigation strategies The White Paper shall not exceed five (5) pages in length. 3.0 SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION The information requested in support of the Capabilities Statement and White Paper must be submitted in writing. The submitted Capabilities Statement shall not exceed five (5) pages, and the White Paper shall not exceed five (5) pages, in addition to a one (1) page cover letter, for a total submission not to exceed 11 pages. Your submission should be organized in accordance with the instructions in this document in order to permit a thorough and accurate review and evaluation by the TSA. All questions regarding this RFI must be submitted via electronic mail to susan.messina@dhs.gov by 12/21/12. Responses to this RFI must be submitted via electronic mail to susan.messina@dhs.gov by 1/4/13. Responses not received by the closing date and time may not be considered or evaluated by the TSA. Important Note: Responders are required to answer or comment on all content contained in this RFI in order to respond to this notice. In addition, interested vendors are encouraged to share as many ideas and suggestions to all or some of the topics presented herein. 4.0 OTHER This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. There is no solicitation document presently available. An industry day for OEMs and test organizations will be held on Wednesday, January, 16, 2013. A separate formal announcement will be made. Space will be limited for the industry day. Responding to this RFI does not guarantee a slot will be made available. Proprietary information should not be provided in response to this RFI as the results may be shared with OEMs and other support contractors for planning purposes. The Government will not return or pay for any information provided in response to this announcement; no basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this notice or Government use of any information provided. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this announcement.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/TSA/HQTSA/HSTS04-13-S-CT9999/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02948017-W 20121215/121213234134-7f5f6ab75807aee7b18b74555afbad2a (fbodaily.com)
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-
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