Request For Information (RFI) - Fixed Site Medium Scale Imaging System

Trade Agreement: WTO-AGP/NAFTA/AIT/Canada FTAs with Peru/Colombia/Panama Tendering Procedures: Attachment: None Competitive Procurement Strategy: N/A - P&A/LOI Only Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No Nature of Requirements: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - Fixed-Site Medium Scale Imaging System (FS-MSI)

The closing date is changed to April 22, 2014 at 2pm.

This is not a bid solicitation

INTRODUCTION

Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is seeking feedback from industry, and in particular Fixed-Site Medium Scale Imaging (FS-MSI) Systems Suppliers.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RFI

The purpose of the Request for Information is to determine what is currently available on the market for the FS-MSI type systems and to assess the footprint, imaging capabilities, site and operational requirements for those systems. This RFI contains a list of specific questions and requests for additional documentation with regards to the FS-MSI systems.

NATURE OF RFI

This is not a bid solicitation. This RFI will not result in the award of any contract. As a result, potential suppliers of any goods or services described in this RFI should not reserve stock or facilities, nor allocate resources, as a result of any information contained in this RFI. Nor will this RFI result in the creation of any source list. Therefore, whether or not any potential supplier responds to this RFI will not preclude that supplier from participating in any future procurement. Also, the procurement of any of the goods and services described in this RFI will not necessarily follow this RFI. This RFI is simply intended to solicit feedback from industry.

NATURE AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES REQUESTED

Respondents are requested to provide their comments, concerns and, where applicable, alternative recommendations regarding how the requirements or objectives described in this RFI could be satisfied. Respondents should explain any assumptions they make in their responses.

RESPONSE COSTS

Canada will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding to this RFI.

RESPONSES AND ENQUIRIES

Respondents are reminded that this is a RFI and not a Request for Proposal (RFP).

Responses will not be formally evaluated. However, the responses received may be used by Canada to develop or modify procurement strategies or any draft documents contained in this RFI. Canada will review all responses received by the RFI closing date. Canada may, in its discretion, review responses received after the RFI closing date.

A review team composed of representatives of the client and PWGSC will review the responses on behalf of Canada. Canada reserves the right to hire any independent consultant, or use any Government resources that it considers necessary to review any response. Not all members of the review team will necessarily review all responses.

Confidentiality: Respondents should mark any portions of their response that they consider proprietary or confidential. Canada will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act.

Canada may, in its discretion, contact any respondents to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.

PREFACE

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) uses a number of Fixed-Site Medium Scale Imaging (FS-MSI) Systems for inspection of imported goods for border security applications and trade facilitation. These devices are used to detect concealed objects (contraband, weapons, restricted plants or animals) and/or to validate the presence of legitimate, properly declared goods without the need for more extensive search methods. CBSA is looking to procure four FS-MSI systems with the options for additional systems. These systems must be high-energy radiography systems with all the necessary shielding, source controls and interlocking subsystems to ensure safe operation in a busy port-of-entry environment. FS-MSI systems will be used indoor in a warehouse-type environment.

QUESTIONS TO INDUSTRY

General Questions

1) What is the tunnel size opening of the proposed system?

Is the system capable of scanning targets 2.45 m x 2.45 m x 2.75 m (8' x 8' x 9') [L x W x H] most commonly mounted on wooden pallets?

Is the system capable of scanning longer objects in multiple sections?

What are the size and weight limits for scanned objects?

Can it scan non-palletized or non-cubic objects (pipes, lumber, machine parts, etc.)?

Is it possible for the system to scan passenger cars satisfying the target dimensions (if "yes", please specify if any system modification or additional equipment is necessary for this functionality)?

2) What is/are the scanning speed(s) (in m/s) of the system?

Can speeds be toggled by an operator?

What is the maximum number of loads (pallets) that can be scanned per hour?

3) What are the dimensions of the physical system?

Is the system modular?

4) Is there an operator booth and if so is it attached to the system or separate?

Does the operator booth have line of sight?

Where is it located in the flow?

5) What is the finalphysical footprint of the system?

What is the total footprint of the system including any radiation safety zone (or exclusion zone) required to ensure that dose rates remain below 5 µSv/hr?

6) What is the gross weight of the system?

What is the required floor loading capacity to hold the system (in psi or Mpa)?

7) What are the shipping dimensions and requirements?

What is the shipping weight of the system?

8) What is the conveyor (or roller bed) height from the floor?

What is the conveyor (or roller bed) capacity?

Is the conveyor system, constructed in a manner that impedes debris from entering inaccessible areas, or constructed so that areas where debris may enter are easily accessible for regular cleaning and maintenance?

Does the system include a conveyor subsystem?

Conveyor subsystem is defined as powered means of moving targets from the point loading, to scanning position then to point of extraction?

9) What are the power requirements?

10) What are the environmental limitations (operating temperature, humidity, etc...)?

11) What is the format of stored images and scan data?

12) Is the system network ready?

What are the networking specifications for the system?

How can the system present the stored images and scan data for remote archiving and analysis?

13) What is the maximum dose rate that could be measured at any point 5 cm from the exterior of the system?

What is the ambient dose within the radiation safety zone during continuous operation?

What is the neutron background of the system when in operation?

14) Does the system have integrated radiation detection capability?

15) How many operators are required forregular day-to-day operations?

16) Has the system been certified and deployed in Canada before (if "yes", please list locations of deployment)?

Imaging Questions

17) What is the energy of the X-ray source, radioactive isotope or Linac used by the system?

18) What is the location of the radiation beam (side-viewing, top-viewing system, dual-view system)?

Does the system deploy stationary generator/source and detector array (i.e. only conveyor on which pallet is placed moves during the scan)?

19) What is the typical penetration in steel?

Whatis the spatial resolution in the horizontal and vertical directions?

What is the minimum observable wire size?

20) Isthe system capable of material discrimination (organic, inorganic, intermediate, high-z, etc.)?

What is the minimum thickness of organic material (e.g. plastic) that the system can distinguish?

What level of image resolution (for high-Z and low-Z materials) is the system capable of achieving?

21) Does the system have tomographic capabilities (3-D)?

22) What are the image manipulation tools available to the operator?

Can an operator compare two different images on the same screen (i.e. an image of an accepted load compared with an anomalous image)?

Timeline Questions

23) What are the expected minimum and average times required to deliver and install FS-MSI systems at various locations in Canada (time between Contract Award and Site Acceptance Testing)?

24) Procurement process involves Pre-award testing - Data Validation Test (DVT) component. Upon review of paper bids submitted in response to the RFP, the bidder must make a fully-functioning system available for an independent DVT test performed by the CBSA specialist. What is the minimum and average times needed to arrange for this (time between the announcement of successful paper bid evaluation and the DVT test)?

25) How long are the operator and technician training sessions?

What is the maximum number of operators that may be trained in one session?

26) What is the life expectancy of the system?

Additional Information Requested

The CBSA would like to receive

A) Documentation for image quality measurements: The CBSA would like to receive a completed Image Quality Test Record: Summary of Results; Annex B of the ANSI N42.46-2008 Standard (or equivalent documentation) for the proposed system.

B) Sample library of images (in JPEG or other standard format) taken by the proposed system; suggested images for this collection include but are not limited to: - Images taken while competing Annex B of the ANSI N42.46-2008 Standard - Images of a very dense pallet-sized cargo (worst case scenario for penetration) - Images showing hidden guns or other contraband (if available) - Any other images that the manufacturer would like to provide

C) System installation layout drawings showing dimensions of the system and clearly marked isodose contour when the system is in operation. The isodose contour is defined as a contour of points on which the time-averaged radiation dose is 0.5 µSv (0.05 mrem or 50 µrem) in any 1 hr measured at a height of 1 m above ground level. D) Photographic collection of images: a collection of photographic images (in JPEG format) of the proposed system.

E) List of locations at which the similar system is already in operation.

F) List of current certificates that the system has.

G) Any other relevant information with regards to the proposed system that the manufacturer would like to provide.

ENQUIRIES

Because this is not a bid solicitation, Canada will not necessarily respond to enquiries in writing or by circulating answers to all potential suppliers. However, respondents with questions regarding this Request for Information may direct their enquiries to:

Anne Caron Public Works and Government Services Canada Acquisitions Branch Commercial Consumer Products Directorate 11 Laurier Street, 6A2, Phase III Place du Portage, Hull, Quebec, K1A 0S5

Telephone: (819) 956-3874 Facsimile: (819) 956-3814 E-mail address: anne.caron@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Public Works and Government Services Canada requests that respondents submit their written responses to the issues referenced herein or any additional comments/concerns or alternate recommendations on how this requirement can be satisfied via electronic mail to the Contracting Authority named herein.

CLOSING DATE

Responses to this Request for Information will be accepted at any time until April 22, 2014.

Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.