REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
FirstDefender, TruDefender, and Gemini Software Updates

Notice Type: Request for Information
Solicitation Number: N0017419SN0017
Posted Date: 5 March 2019
Response Date: 20 March 2019
Classification Code: J - Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment

Contracting Office Address:
N00174 Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, 4072 North Jackson Street, Indian Head, MD

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, we are not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified.

Description:
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD), Indian Head, Maryland is seeking the ability to obtain OEM software updates for the following Thermo Scientific handheld instruments: FirstDefender RMX, TruDefender FT, TruDefender FTX, and Gemini. EOD operators and physical security personnel routinely use these instruments to identify unknown solid and liquid materials in support of screening applications or forensic exploitation.

IHEODTD maintains over 633 FirstDefender RMX, 351 TruDefender FT, 230 TruDefender FTX, and 224 Gemini in use by the Department of Defense and deployed OCONUS and CONUS for EOD support operations. Additionally, IHEODTD also provides unofficial support to a number of other US government organizations that employ these systems. Those organizations can also use any contract vehicle that may result from this RFI to obtain software updates.

Software updates for the systems discussed above may be purchased as frequently as annually, but the government is not obligated to purchase a software update each year or on a continual basis.

The key technical capabilities desired are as follows:

1. Software updates must be made available for and priced separately for each of the following instruments:
a. FirstDefender RMX
b. TruDefender FT
c. TruDefender FTX
d. Gemini
2. Software updates must be obtained from the OEM (Thermo Scientific).
3. Software updates must be made available to download from an accessible website OR provided on an SD card for each system. Any pricing difference in delivery method should be indicated in the RFI response.
a. Downloads will be made available to personnel specified by IHEODTD within 10 business days of award
OR
b. SD cards will be shipped to a location specified by IHEODTD, not directly to the end user, within 15 business days of award
4. Purchase of a software update for a given system includes support for one year from the date of purchase. Any additional software updates that are generated by the OEM for that system during that 1-year time period will be made available to IHEODTD, or personnel specified by IHEODTD, at no additional cost.

Submissions:
Information may be submitted in the form of white papers, test reports, PowerPoint presentations, and specification sheets. Please limit your response to no more than 10 pages, excluding any title and cover pages. Replies are requested no later than 45 days from posting date.

All responses must include the RFI number in the email subject line. Include a cover page identifying the name of business, cage code, DUNS number, business size, RFI number, unique title, technology area(s), names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of technical/business points of contacts.

Technical Description Format:
Respondents are asked to provide the following information as applicable:

1. Accessibility: Ability to access software updates from the OEM.

2. Stepladder Pricing: Provide stepladder pricing/quantity discounts for each system software update for the following increments. If these increments are prohibitive, please provide alternate price breakdowns:
a. 1 system
b. 2-49 systems
c. 50-100 systems
d. 100-199 systems
e. 200-399 systems
f. ≥ 400 systems
3. Risk: Identify and discuss RFI parameters/requirements that are determined to be un-executable. Additionally, identify and discuss those requirements that drive risk to cost, schedule, and/or performance.

Unclassified technical questions regarding this RFI may be directed to Cristina Spencer, 301-744-5372 or Alfred Wooten, 301-744-5927. They may alternatively be contacted by email: [email protected]; [email protected].

All responding sources must submit their responses no later than 20 March 2019 to:

NSWC IHEODTD
Attn: Rhonda Coles, Contract Specialist
4081 North Jackson Road, Bldg. 841
Indian Head, MD 20640-5035
(301) 744-6650
[email protected]

NSWC IHEODTD
Attn: Cristina Spencer, EDE Program Director
2008 Stump Neck Road
Indian Head, MD 20640
(301)-744-5372
[email protected]

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