KOSEN 한인과학기술자네트워크

Automated X-Ray System for Agricultural Product Detection Primary Sponsor: Department of Agriculture Deadline: 2/16/2001 USDA, APHIS is preparing to do a competitive procurement for 2 to 3 cost reimbursable research and development contracts for two types of automated x-ray technology with agriculture product detection capability; tomographic and 2D technology. The Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) division of APHIS is responsible for the safeguarding of America's abundant plant resources from invasive plant pests. To meet this responsibility, PPQ must expeditiously monitor for and exclude envasive pests in an increasing volume of goods and passenger baggage arriving into the United States. With anticipated significant increases in international traffic at United States airports, Agricultural Quarantine Inspections (AQI) airport programs to exclude invasive plant pests are being taxed beyond their capacity to respond. Current x-ray systems in use today at airports are manually operated with inspection decisions being made by quarantine personnel accessing bag contents images on a viewing screen. This process only allows for the examination of a small portion of baggage from each flight. New automated x-ray technology for explosive and weapon detection in baggage is being developed by the private sector. Some models are already available for purchase and use in airport security and customs programs. It is believed that this automated technology, with minor hardware and modest software modifications, could be used to improve AQI detective capabilities at airports, thus significantly reducing the risk of invasive plant pest introductions through passenger luggage. The ultimate objective of this effort is to promote the long term development of and to integrate the use of automated technology into future Agricultural Quarantine Inspections (AQI) procedures at airports. APHIS possesses certain advanced scientific skills, facilities, special equipment, information, and know how pertaining to detection of fruit, plant and agricultural products. In July 1998, APHIS entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Vivid Technologies, Inc. (VIVID) a Corporation of the State of Delaware, to optimize its advanced automated X-ray system using tomographic computer technology for detecting fruit, plant and other agricultural products, and to assist the APHIS in developing an advanced automated X-ray detection standard system for in-line screening of 100 percent of arriving baggage. By entering into a CRADA with VIVID, APHIS may have inadvertently provided VIVID with a competitive advantage over other interested companies. Therefore, ideas are being solicited from interested companies on how to create a level playing field and provide a fair and equitable opportunity for all interested companies to compete for the aforementioned cost reimbursable research and development contracts. Comments shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer at the address shown above by close of business February 16, 2001. The exact time for release of the solicitation is unknown at this time, however, the estimated date of availabilityis April 1, 2001. For a copy of the solicitation, submit your request via facsimile or e-mail to the Contracting Officer, and include your company name and address, point of contact, telephone and facsimile numbers, e-mail address, and the solicitation number and item description from this synopsis, Facsimile: (612) 370-2106. E-mail: bob.j.crowther@usda.gov. TELEPHONE REQUESTS FOR A COPY OF THE SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All responsible sources may submit an offer for consideration in response to this request for proposals