Request for Information:

Standoff Explosive Countermeasure Technologies for

Detection of Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices



DESCRIPTION



The Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate (DHS-S&T), Explosives Division, will be conducting operational field demonstrations of remotely-operated and standoff explosive countermeasure technologies to address the threat from suicide bomber, leave-behind, and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). DHS-S&T’s Standoff Technology Integration Demonstration Program (STIDP) is a multi-year program (concluding in 2013) designed to accelerate the development of standoff explosives detection technologies, concept of operations, and training to counter these threats. The ultimate goal of the program is to prevent explosive attacks at large public events (LPEs) via a spiral development approach.



STIDP seeks to obtain information on remotely-operated and standoff explosive detection technologies and system integration strategies that have the ability to detect unique signatures that could be attributed to the components of a VBIED. The purpose of this Request for Information is to identify:



1) Interested parties with existing technologies to detect VBIED signatures who wish to participate in a field test to evaluate VBIED countermeasure architectures. .



2) Companies with unique concepts for detection of VBIED signatures. Of particular interest are technical solutions that could detect one or more VBIED signatures by integrating two or more emerging technologies.



REQUIREMENTS



The following represent the minimum technology requirements for existing VBIED technologies to be considered as a candidate technology for the STIDP:



- Screen vehicles from a standoff distance or, at a minimum, be remotely operated. For purposes of this solicitation, standoff is defined as the ability to screen an individual or vehicle beyond the lethal blast zone of an explosive device. Technologies solely for use at checkpoints will only be considered if they can be operated unmanned. For example, chemical analysis and/or forensics using a manual wipe-down trace detection method will not be of interest.

- Detect one or more VBIED signatures:

o While the vehicle is stationary or moving

o With occupants inside or outside the vehicle

- Operate in

o a temperature range of 0-120° F

o the presence of fog, rain, or snow

o day or night

- Can be operated as a real-time countermeasure by law enforcement personnel with less than 1 day training

- Screen a wide range of:

1) privately operated vehicles (e.g., cars, minivans, pickups, SUVs and light trucks such as pickups, panel trucks, light vans, panel vans),

OR

2) medium-duty trucks (e.g., RVs and box, platform, and flatbed trucks), AND

heavy-duty trucks (e.g., concrete, dump, garbage, and refrigerated trucks, busses, and tractor-trailers, including ISO containers and tankers).



Signatures



DHS is looking for technologies that could detect one or more of the following VBIED signatures in a remote or standoff screening mode:

- Trace or residual levels of explosives on the external surfaces of the vehicle (e.g., door handles, trunk, etc.)

- Trace or residual levels of explosives on the internal surfaces of the vehicle (e.g., steering wheel, radio, etc.)

- Explosive or taggant vapor emissions from the vehicle, inside the vehicle, or occupants, etc.

- Bulk quantities of explosives, fragmentation, accelerants (e.g., propane tanks), or detonation systems inside the vehicle

- Excessive or unusual vehicle loading

- Anomalous vehicle performance characteristics/dynamics (e.g. response to pre-placed road obstructions, e.g., speed bumps)

- Anomalous vehicle behavior (stopping vehicle for no clear purpose, abandoned vehicles, etc.)

- Anomalous driver behavior (e.g. abandoning vehicle, lack of passengers when expected, driver nervousness or sweating, etc.).

- Electronic signatures emanating from the vehicle.



Desirable Technology Capabilities



The following list represents technology capabilities that are desirable to DHS S&T, but not actual requirements at this time:

- Operation with vehicle speeds in excess of 5 mph

- Integration of sensor systems that detect orthogonal attributes to increase probability of detection and reduction of false alarms

- Do not require infrastructure modifications, are self-powered, or can communicate wirelessly to a command station

- Minimal manpower requirements (less is better)

- Easily configured for change in location, orientation, venue, and targeted objects

- Mobile technologies

- Technologies with small footprints

- Technologies with open interfaces or are easily integrated into other 3rd party architectures (preferably open architectures).

-



DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULE



The STIDP is planning on conducting a field demonstration of VBIED countermeasure for summer/fall, 2009. The primary intent of the field demonstration is to test a VBIED countermeasure architecture to determine system and individual sensor technical performance, integration approaches, and concept of operations effectiveness in a live, operational environment.



INTERESTED PARTIES



Parties that have remotely operated or standoff detection systems that could be used for detection of VBIED signatures are encouraged to respond. Please limit submission to a maximum of 5 pages in length (including a cover sheet) and provide the following information:



Cover Page (Page 1)

• Contact and Company Information

o Name

o Title

o Company Name

o Date of Incorporation

o FY07 sales

o Number of employees

o Location

o Mailing Address

o Phone number

o Web page address

o Email address

• Name of Technology

• Technology Maturity: Existing technology or technology concept

• Technology summary covering technical approach, operating principles, testing conducted to date, projected or actual costs, and example commercial sales, if any.



For companies with COTS or near-COTS technologies that have demonstrated the ability to detect one or more signatures of a VBIED:



Page 2-5

• Technical background on how the technology works, which signature(s) it is capable of detecting, and at what level of accuracy (e.g., probability of detection, nuisance alarm rate).

• State whether or not the technology is suitable for use while occupants are in the vehicle and discuss any measures or requirements to ensure safety of vehicle occupants, bystanders, and operators of the system.

• Overview of how the technology would be deployed in an operational setting, including manpower requirements.

• Overview of the test and evaluation conducted to date and how this data supports performance claims.

• Current ongoing R&D and sources of funding (including amounts).

• Schedule for anticipated technology upgrades and associated testing.

• Describe how the technology is or has been or can be integrated with other sensor technologies to improve the overall countermeasure performance.

• Government/Academia/Industrial partners.

• Previous work performed in the subject area being proposed, including but not limited to work performed for the US Government, or other federal agencies (including international).



For companies with COTS or near-COTS technologies that, either as a stand-alone technology or when combined with other existing technologies, have the potential to detect one or more signatures of a VBIED:



Page 2-5

• Description of the baseline technology you are offering as a solution.

• Description of the detection concept’s technical and operational approach.

• Description of how your technology would need to be adapted or integrated with other technologies to provide a viable solution.

• State whether or not the technology is suitable for use while occupants are in the vehicle and discuss any measures or requirements to ensure safety of vehicle occupants, bystanders, and operators of the system.

• Description of the state-of-the-art of the technologies that would be integrated with your technology to provide a viable solution.

• Potential partners and level of engagement conducted to date.

• Estimated R&D costs and timeline.



Limit responses to 5 pages including the cover page. Marketing brochures, fliers, published presentations or papers, etc. that summarizes the technology and more about your company are encouraged in addition to the white paper, but should not be substituted as a replacement for the white paper.



Responses to this request for information are to be submitted electronically to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory at stidp-rfi@pnl.go