DHS Issues RFI on Smart Containers

The DHS - Border and Transportation Security, United States Customs Service (USCS), Procurement Division of 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 1310 NP, Washington, DC, 20229, issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding smart and secure containers. The Bureau of Customs & Border Protection (CBP)is solicitating information and descriptions (white papers), not to exceed five (5) pages per project, on a technical or project activity addressing areas of interest described in this RFI. White papers must include the offers contact information: point of contac, telephone no., fax no., and e-mail address. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please include in a cover letter the contact information and a synopsis stating the concept, anticipated results and potential payoff to container security. The cover letter is not included as part of the 5 page limit. SPECIAL NOTICE: This announcement will be open for sixty (60) days and closes on February 17, 2004. The purpose of this sources sought is to solicit white papers on innovative concepts for smart and secure containers and related infrastructure to be used in the international trade system. The objective is to achieve cargo container security and integrity upon arrival at the ports of entry of U.S. Participation does not imply any obligation on the part of the Govt. Proprietary information will be protected to the greatest extent provided by law. This is NOT a request for proposal (RFP), but for investigative purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Please note that the Bureau of CBP will not reimburse interested vendors/institutations for their white paers in response to this RFI. The interested vendor should indicate if they are a large busines, small business, 8(a) vendor, and if they are located in a Hubzone. They should also provide their DUNS number and TAX ID number. SCOPE; The announcement is soliciting white papers on innovative concept for smart and secure containers and related intfrastructure to be used in the trade system. Some examples of what smart containers might entail include: (1) Off the shelf concepts for improving integrity and security of containers preseently in the international trade system; (2) Advanced concepts for detecting intrusion en route and assuring integrity of a container upon arrival at a port of entry; (3) Advanced concepts for container designs employing embedded technologies for timely detection of contraband materials including explosives, radiological and special nuclear materials (SNM), chemical/biological agents and their precursors, and devices and weapns employing these agents or materials; (4) Advanced approaches addressing the infrastructures required supporting embedded technology systems (i.e., power, communications, multiple sensor modules, etc.) WHITE PAPERS: The CBP is solicitating white papers from state and local governments, consortia, industry, and academia on the concepts described above. The concepts should address one of the following four implementation timelines: Timeline 1- concepts that are deployable immediately; Timeline 2- concepts that are deployable within 6 months; Timeline 3- concepts that will take less than 24 months to deploy; and Timeline 4- concepts that will take longer than 24 months to deploy. In addition, practicality of implementation, operational impact, estimated costs, and potential pilot test concepts should be discussed. Each white paper should not exceed 5 pages and should include graphics as appropriate. ADDRESS: Interested vendors should send their response to [email protected]. Or they may send a hard copy via overnight express (fed-ex) to. Bureau of Customs & Border Proection, National Place, Procurement Division, Office of Finance, Attention: Terence Lew, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W, Suite 1310, Washington, D.C. 20229. As indicated previously, e-mail responses are prefered. All responses are due before COB (4:00 PM) 17 Feb. 2004.