Description
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to establish a Qualified Products List (QPL) for Explosive Trace Detectors (ETDs) consumables. This announcement provides the overview process for the qualification process for ETD consumables required by DHS Components. This announcement is not a request for submissions at this time. The Government will only accept submissions upon the posting of Functional Categories, Tracks and Windows (fully described and defined in Attachment A) which will be posted as an amendment to this Government Opportunities (www.Beta.Sam.gov) announcement. Functional Category 1 is anticipated to be opened on or around (date). At this time, it is unknown when additional Functional Categories will be open, but all information will be posted under this Beta.Sam.gov announcement. For complete details of this QPL, see Attachment A – Explosive Trace Detection Consumable Qualified Products List (ETD consumable QPL) Overview AA21MED004. I. OVERVIEW Explosive Trace Detectors (ETDs) are handheld or desktop devices that detect various types of commercial and military explosives and can be utilized to detect illicit drugs. They are largely used by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detect and distinguish trace amounts of explosives and illicit drugs as a secondary screening device throughout the U.S. as well as at the border checkpoints and other vulnerable areas where extra security is required. The QPL will provide Components with a list of formally tested and evaluated supplies and materials, such as filters, swabs, desiccant, that support the operation and maintenance of ETDs. These essential supplies and materials are unique for each ETD system. DHS will establish a qualification process for the Explosive Trace Detector consumables, which is detailed in Attachment A - Explosive Trace Detection Consumable Qualified Products List (ETDC QPL) Overview – AA21MED004. The qualification process is the means by which products are obtained from manufacturers and their product evaluated against testing requirements. Only those vendors that successfully meet the requirements are invited to participate in a subsequent acquisition process. A qualification process is essential to ensure that DHS is buying a proven product. The resultant QPL will be considered a DHS department-wide ordering vehicle for ETD consumables. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be the Executive Agent for this department-wide ordering vehicle, as defined in the Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Manual (HSAM) Section 3002.101. All DHS acquisitions of ETD Consumables will be subject to this qualification requirement and are governed by the policies and procedures regarding qualification requirements set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 9.2 Qualification Requirements. II. GENERAL INFORMATION The following is both general information and information required as per FAR 9.205. The information below does not provide the entire qualification process. For complete details, please see Attachment A- ETD Consumables QPL Overview – AA21MED004. • The TSA will announce various ETD Consumables requirements by utilizing Functional Categories. Functional Categories (insert machine model) will be posted as an amendment to this Beta. SAM announcement. Functional Requirements Documents, Functional Requirements Matrices, and all other applicable information will be released under a Functional Category. Please see Attachment A for detailed information on Functional Categories. • The DHS will serve as the responsible party for establishing Qualification requirements. All information to where submissions are to be provided will be posted under a Functional Category. • As stated above, Functional Category 1 is anticipated to be opened on or around (date). At this time, it is unknown when additional Functional Categories will be open. Once a system passes testing as required by the level of qualification defined by the Government and the system receives a favorable production decision, as defined in the latest version of the DHS Instruction 102-01-001 Acquisition Management Instruction, the vendor's systems will be added to the ETD Consumables QPL. The ETD Consumables QPL will be posted on Beta.Sam in writing by the ETD Consumables QPL Contracting Officer. The addition to the QPL serves as the official record of system qualification. The ETD Consumable QPL will detail the qualified systems under each specific Functional Category and each specific Track. No contract will be awarded for the qualification of the system. When a need is identified, Contracting Officers from DHS Component Agencies may solicit, compete, and award their own contracts under QPL Functional Categories. Please see Attachment A for more detailed information. • All instructions for submissions will be posted under a Functional Category. When a product is submitted for qualification testing, the applicant must furnish any specific information that may be requested of the manufacturer before testing will begin. Please see Attachment A for more detailed information. • At the completion of each step, as defined in Attachment A, the DHS will provide the vendor formal notification and test results in writing. Verbal discussions of results may be conducted if determined to be necessary. • This announcement is for information purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment or a promise of a contract by the Government. This announcement does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the submission of responses