Purpose This is a sources sought notice for written information only. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or reimburse the costs incurred by potential offerors in providing the information requested herein. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting market research to determine capabilities within the commercial marketplace. Vendors should provide basic information regarding capabilities and an indication as to how they would achieve this document's outlined objectives. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the U. S. Government. The U. S. Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any input as a result of this market survey. The U. S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. Overview The Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory (ORIA/R&IE) in conjunction and collaboration with the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Washington D.C., and Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, National Air and Radiation and Environments Laboratory (ORIA/NAREL) is continuing its efforts to provide defensible radiological analytical values to the Public and other Government Agencies. R&IE supports Superfund projects in cleanup, removal, remediation, and radiological emergencies. EPA, under the National Response Framework and other federally mandated regulations would be tasked as the Lead Agency for specific radiological emergency responses and as a Supporting Agency under other specific radiological emergency responses. These tasks include but are not limited to supplying support equipment, personnel, and radiation detection equipment to EPA Regional personnel and Incident Command Leadership across the North America including Alaska and US Territories. In providing this support, R&IE is tasked with maintaining, deploying, and operating the RadNet-Deployable National Radiological Monitoring Stations (RadNet-DNRMS). Currently EPA maintains 40 RadNet Deployable National Radiological Monitoring Stations (RadNet-DNRMS) constructed to meet objectives for radiological emergency response requirements. The system is now approximately 6 years old, and an update and modernization to the system is necessary. Overall system objectives and customer needs have changed since the initial design of the system. Technology improvements to the system would significantly improve the overall effectiveness, availability and usability of the system. Project Overview Remote operating station for radiological air monitoring and gamma exposure rate monitoring: The basic concept of operation and data quality objectives would meet or exceed the operational parameters of the current RadNet Deployable System, as stated in this RFI. The RFI response should include describing the capabilities and approach in: The overall system requirements are for the system to remain in an EPA storage warehouse, calibrated and ready to deploy. Unit would be deployed for nuclear power plant incidents of a medium to long distance or for a Radiation Dispersal Device. These units will not be placed in a high radiation or highly contaminated environment. When called upon, the system would be shipped to an area near its ultimate deployment destination. A local team would pick-up the monitor, transport it to its deployment location and set-up the monitor. The set-up team would have a limited knowledge of the system and limited ability to change or modify the system. The local team would change out the air filters and/or cartridges on a 24 hour cycle. The data from the monitor would be transmitted from the unit through a modem, selected by the monitor with an automatic rollover capability to another device in the event the selected method of communication is unavailable. The monitor would be expected to operate in harsh environmental conditions, such as high heat, extreme cold and high humidity. Data transmitted from the monitor would be a consolidated package of all of the data collected by the system. The system would have options to transmit data at a selected time interval when configured for operation. If the system is unable to make a connection, (or temporary power failure) the monitor would continue to operate (and restart upon return of power) and re-attempt to transmit data until successful. The operator would have limited ability to change any settings on the monitor, but would need to have an indication that the monitor was operating (beyond hearing that the air monitor was running). Requirements Specific objectives of the RFI include describing the capabilities and approach in the: • Development of a portable remote monitoring system using COTS configurable short duration high volume particulate air sampler or long duration low volume particulate and air sampler; collecting stable gamma exposure rate measurements (precision an accuracy to be specified by the EPA) at environmental levels; collecting basic weather data; GPS; consolidating the data and transmitting the data through multiple transmission modes (Satellite, cell, hard phone line, local computing device) and a capability of controlling and interacting with the system remotely. Standard filter media for both the high and low volume particulate air sampler, TEDA charcoal/Silver Zeolite cartridges for the low volume air sampler. • Development of a remote monitoring system that is easily transportable, rugged, easily assembled and easily operated using primarily COTS components as stated above. The system would be modular where it can deploy with only the necessary components needed to support the scenario. The operating software must be non-proprietary and end-user programmable and end user accessible. • Development of a remote monitoring system that will operate on <15Amps continuous draw at 110V - operable on household power system without exceeding household electrical system. • Have all cannon plugs/connections to meet or exceed Mil-spec requirements. • System operable in -20/140F as well as in rain, snow, wind. • Development of a remote monitoring system that can be moved assembled and disassembled by a single person. Ideally shipped as a unit with no more than 3 pieces per unit. Unit weight should be less than 100lbs total with no individual piece (packed) greater than 50lbs. • Development of a remote monitoring system that would provide a data product in near-real time. • Subcomponents can be replaced in the field by end-user with no specific training. • Prompts and data should be visible for the end-user on a display screen attached to a single unit. Instructions for Vendors Businesses should submit an electronic copy of the requested information and all questions to Contracting Officer, Holly Pearlman, at
[email protected], no later than September 9, 2011 by 11:00 AM, Pacific Time. Feedback will not be provided regarding individual capabilities statements submitted in response to this notice. Submissions shall be limited to a total of three pages. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334519 and the size standard is 500. Submitted capability statements should include the following: (1) Name of vendor; (2) Contact information (address, telephone, facsimile, e-mail); (3) Technical description of capabilities in meeting the requirement; and (4) Business size and classification (small, large, small-disadvantaged, certified 8(a), HUBZone, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran, Native American, etc.)