Customs and Border Protection (CBP) last Friday released the Request for Proposal (RFP) for non-intrusive inspection (NII) systems that will allow vehicles to be safely driven through the portal so that the driver and anyone else in the cab of a truck is not exposed to harmful radiation and the system switches to a higher-energy level to scan the cargo area for contraband and illicit items.
The RFP originally was expected to be issued in June. CBP plans to acquire the Multi-Energy Portal (MEP) systems to significantly expand the percentage of cargo being trucked into the U.S. at the nation’s southern and northern border ports of entry.
CBP says it will begin deploying its NII Integration Program beginning in the fiscal year 2022 timeframe. Systems will be deployed in traditional secondary inspection lanes and pre-primary lanes to support the new concept of operations to expand scanning.
“CBP will deploy MEP systems at land POEs (ports of entry) to inspect vehicles in secondary and prior to arrival at primary inspection boot in an effort to improve CBP’s inspection and interdiction capability while increasing inspection capacity,” the agency says in a statement of work accompanying the RFP. “MEPs can also be deployed to seaport POE’s for targeted inspections. CBP’s long-term goal is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of NII operations by expanding the use of automated tools and processes, and integrating multiple sensors, technologies, and data platforms.”
Bids are due Sept. 21. Multiple indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts are planned to be awarded and will include a five-year ordering consisting of a base-year and four one-year option periods beginning in FY ’21, and 10 years of maintenance.
Companies such as Leidos [LDOS], OSI Systems’ [OSIS] Rapiscan division and Smiths Detection are expected to bid.