The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is soliciting industry for information regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Radiological and Nuclear sample collection, detection, and identification technologies, devices, or systems that can be adapted for aerial collection, sample preservation, and analysis. The radiological and nuclear technologies should provide an affordable approach to successfully demonstrating WACS integrated Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) capabilities to the warfighter community. Additional background information on the WACS ATD, including access to the draft System Requirements Document (SRD), can be found in the notice for the WACS ATD RFI, WACS08292008 (the WACS ATD SRD is only releasable to US Government Agencies and their contractors). The radiological and nuclear sample collection, detection, and identification capabilities are an integral payload component for the WACS ATD mission. The objectives of this RFI are to: • Solicit from industry information on mature Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher: https://akss.dau.mil/dag/Guidebook/IG_c10.5.2.asp) radiological and nuclear sample collection, detection, and identification technologies, devices, or systems which may be adapted for use in small (100 pound class) to medium (500 pound class), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms. • Identify prospective technologies to minimize volume, weight, and power while conforming to the general radiological and nuclear system requirements detailed in the draft WACS ATD SRD. • Radiological and nuclear sample collection, detection, and identification technologies and concepts that require significant basic research (TRL less than 4) are not desired. • Solicit industry partners’ assistance in identifying attainable threshold and objective performance parameters for radiological and nuclear sample collection, detection, and identification technologies, devices, or systems for the WACS ATD SRD that can be demonstrated for a military utility assessment within 24-months from a hypothetical program start date of 01 June 2009. • Identify key milestone events and high risk challenges to adapting prospective technologies, devices, or systems for UAV collection and detection applications. (Additionally, address the risks that would prevent successful demonstration and deployment in accordance with the identified WACS ATD SRD.) • Identify methodologies and techniques to test and verify sensor and collector performance to include laboratory through full operational test events. This should include type of test facilities, and test ranges (private-, foreign- and or government- owned) necessary if utilizing radioactive and fissile substances versus simulants and/or surrogates. Provide innovative testing methodologies that offer high fidelity test, verification, and confidence while complying with all environmental laws and regulations. • Identify radiological and nuclear simulants and/or surrogates which have been or may be used for open-air test events. This should include type of test facilities, and test ranges (private-, foreign- and or government- owned). Release of simulants and/or surrogates shall comply with all environmental laws and regulations. Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Questions: In an attempt to address the concerns of the General Accounting Office (GAO), MRL should be considered. For those technologies with a TRL 4 or higher, refer to the following questions presented below. Although these questions do not need to be specifically addressed in your submission, these questions will be addressed during the WACS project period of performance facilitating opportunities to improve the potential for transitioning the technology to a full development, production, and fielding program. • Has the technology reached a minimum TRL 4 or higher? (Refer to https://akss.dau.mil/dag/Guidebook/IG_c10.5.2.asp for TRL definitions.) • If yes, give consideration to the following MRL questions, where applicable: • General Questions • Is the technology reproducible? If so, have the critical features and attributes been characterized using quantitative methods? • Are the performance and/or purity requirements measurable using standard laboratory methods? • Technology and Industrial Base Questions • Have manufacturing capabilities been anticipated/identified that are not readily available in the current industrial base? • Have any potential manufacturing shortfalls been documented? • Are new materials, components, skills, and facilities anticipated or required? If so, have any potential sources/resources been identified and documented? • Have commercial potentials (e.g., spin-on, spin-off and dual-use) been considered? • Materials • Have all concept materials been compared to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists of hazardous materials? • Have potential hazards been identified and documented for the manufacture or use of the technology? In your response, please consider and elaborate on the radiological and nuclear collection, detection, and identification technology information specifics pertaining to: • Devices and Systems for Collection of Airborne Radioisotopes • Can the proposed technology collect samples of uranium and/or transuranics (specifically Pu or U) dispersed in uncontrolled atmospheric release that is initiated by fire or mechanical/energetic actions? • Can the proposed technology collect samples of actinides and fission products dispersed in uncontrolled atmospheric release that is initiated by either fire or mechanical/energetic actions? • Is the proposed technology commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) or an otherwise proven device or system that is adaptable with minimal development and test investment? • Can the proposed technology, device, or system be adapted from one that is approved or currently deployed for use by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DOD) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)? • Is the proposed technology, device, or system configurable to operate without human access for an extended period? Provide information on sample collection media (e.g., maximum airflow, particle size); anticipated collection efficiencies; size, weight and power requirements for each proposed system/technologies; and, limits on operations related to atmospheric conditions (e.g., altitude, temperature, humidity, adverse weather) and mechanical events (e.g., vibration, rough handling incident to transport and use). • Devices and Systems for Detection of Airborne Radioisotopes • Can the proposed technology detect uranium and/or transuranics (specifically Pu or U) dispersed in uncontrolled atmospheric release that is initiated by fire or mechanical/energetic actions? • Can the proposed technology detect actinides and fission products dispersed in uncontrolled atmospheric release that is initiated by either fire or mechanical/energetic actions? • Is the proposed technology commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) or an otherwise proven device or system that is adaptable with minimal reconfiguration? • Can the proposed technology, device, or system be adapted from one that is approved or currently deployed for use by the NRC, the DOE, the DOD or the DHS? • Is the proposed technology, device, or system remotely or otherwise configurable to operate without human access for an extended period? Provide information on detector physics (e.g., Geiger Mueller, scintillating); information on detector capabilities (e.g., radiation type, energy response and ranges); information on ancillary equipment, if any, for detector (e.g., photo-multiplier, cooling requirements, special encapsulation); data transmission requirements; size, weight, and power requirements for each proposed system; and, limits on operations related to atmospheric conditions (e.g., altitude, temperature, humidity, adverse weather) and mechanical events (e.g., vibration, rough handling incident to transport and use). • Devices and Systems for Identification of Collected Radioisotopes • Can the proposed technology provide preferred analytical techniques for performing identification analysis on collected samples? Provide basic equipment list required to perform preferred analytical techniques; limits of detection associated with equipment/techniques; recommended sample source activities that are critical for providing high-confidence in radionuclide identification; information on ancillary equipment needed for operation (e.g., vacuum, cooling); and, requirements of consumables needed for analysis (e.g., chemicals, lab equipment). • Devices and Systems for Remote Identification of Airborne Radioisotopes • Can the proposed technology identify radioisotopes, remotely? Provide detailed capabilities/limitations and size, weight and power requirements for any technology capable of performing remote radioisotope identification; and, data transmission requirements for any technology capable of performing remote radioisotope identification. Your response shall be limited to no more than 14 pages, not including cover letter, cover page, and table of contents. Text shall be in US English with font size no less then 12 pt. Responses should include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) description of the airborne radiological and nuclear sample collection, detection, and identification technologies, devices, systems, or concept(s) and associated discussion of performance, cost, and risk parameters; (b) address stated assumptions for the proposed system; (c) assessment of the technology maturity by evaluation against the TRL numerical descriptions and response to the MRL questions/answers; (d) identification of technology, integration, and risk cost drivers (not a rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM), but activities identified to consume majority of cost and labor resources) and any other programmatic and technical information respondents deem necessary to aid the government in its program planning, decision making, risk mitigation, and technology evaluation. White paper submissions in response to this RFI are with the understanding that the content of said submissions may be disclosed outside the Government and/or utilized in the generation of program documentation. Upon review of all submissions in response to this RFI, DTRA may schedule individual meetings with any or all respondents to gain further understanding into their NUC/RAD response, prospective technologies and concepts. Responses are due no later than 5:00 PM EDT, Friday 10 October 2008 to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, NUC/RAD RFI, Attn: Mr. Russell Kelley. All responses shall be transmitted electronically and should be submitted to Mr. Kelley at
[email protected]. Submissions shall be compatible with and accessible utilizing Microsoft Office software applications. Additional Information: There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, to make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties in support of any effort in response to this RFI. Any information submitted in response to this RFI is strictly voluntary. This RFI is strictly for information planning purposes and the Government will not pay or otherwise reimburse respondents for information submitted. It is the responsibility of interested sources to monitor this site for the release of any follow-on information. All documentation shall become the property of the Government. Unless otherwise stated herein, NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. REQUESTS FOR SAME, OR TO COMMUNICATE, OR MEET WITH TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES, WILL BE DISREGARDED.