Biological Containment Isolation System (BCIS)

Statement of Objective (SOO)

This SOO outlines objectives for a multi-phased prototype project to develop innovative biological containment, isolation, and quarantine (BIQ) capabilities. The goal is to convert the U.S. Air Force UTS Systems - Tactical Military Tall 60 (TMT60) positive pressure tent shelter into a negative pressure Multi-Patient Biological Containment Isolation System (BCIS) for managing High-Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) patients during contingency operations.

• Phased Approach: Multiple awards are anticipated. Up to three contractors will be selected for Phase I, with a down-selection to up to two contractors for Phase II.

• Prototype Success Criteria: Successful prototypes must meet specific requirements for negative pressure, air changes per hour (ACH), filtration efficiency, system interruption alarms, patient access, modularity, floor/wall/door integrity, patient movement, power compatibility, reusability, noise levels, shelf life, environmental resistance, EMI, transportation, occupancy, and regulatory compliance.

• Follow-on Production: A non-competitive follow-on production contract for up to 15 units may be awarded after successful completion of Phase II.

• Offerors must submit a draft Statement of Work (SOW) based on this SOO.

• Proposals must include a detailed master delivery schedule, total firm-fixed-price for each phase, projected unit cost for Full Rate Production (FRP), and maximum monthly production rate.

• Supporting documentation for performance claims (TRL, lead times, test reports, HCID containment data, etc.) is required.

• Phase I: Deliver three prototypes (min. TRL 6), demonstrate setup, operation, and breakdown. Evaluation based on Performance, Technical Maturity, and Item Cost.

• Phase II: Deliver five prototypes (min. TRL 7), support training, and conduct operational/logistics demonstrations. Final selection based on Performance, User Feedback, and Affordability.

• Contractors must provide sufficient data rights for Government operation, maintenance, and sustainment. Unlimited Rights are preferred.

• Deliverables include meeting minutes, test support, an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), technical data, Berry Amendment compliance documentation, Safety Assessment Report (SAR), manuals, and system support documentation.

• Prototype development at Contractor facilities.

• Demonstrations and testing at Government-designated CONUS facilities.

• Specific delivery dates to be negotiated.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Call for Solutions (CFS) seeks prototype solutions for a Biological Containment Isolation System (BCIS). The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) is procuring this system on behalf of the Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Protection (JPM CBRN P). The goal is to convert the U.S. Air Force UTS Systems - Tactical Military Tall 60 (TMT60) positive pressure tent shelter into a negative pressure Multi-Patient BCIS tent/shelter for managing Highly Communicable Disease (HCID) infected patients in austere environments, both CONUS and OCONUS.

• System Functionality: Must create a negative pressure environment (-2.5 Pa differential), achieve >=12 Air Changes per Hour (ACH), and utilize filtration efficiency of 99.97% for 0.3 micron particles.

• Compatibility: Solution must integrate with the TMT60 tent to convert it from positive to negative pressure.

• Prototype Deliverables (Phase I): Delivery of 3 prototype kits, system demonstration, and test support within 60-90 days of award. Must meet Technology Readiness Level-6 (TRL-6).

• Prototype Deliverables (Phase II): Delivery of 5 prototype kits, Integrated Kit Performance Test (IKPT), and test support within 60-90 days of Phase II start. Must meet TRL-7.

• Follow-on Production: Potential for a follow-on production contract or transaction based on successful prototype completion.

• Authority: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

• Phased Effort: Two phases for prototype development and testing.

• Awards: Multiple awards anticipated for Phase I, with a down-select for Phase II.

• Two-Step Process: Initial Solution Brief submission, followed by a Request for Solution Proposal (RSP) for selected offerors.

• Solution Brief Submission: Due by 09 June 2026, 1700 EST. Consists of two files: Solution Brief (15 pages max, excluding ROM) and Supporting Data Package (no page limit).

• Evaluation Criteria (Solution Brief): Threshold Assertions (Pass/Fail), OTA Eligibility (Pass/Fail), Technical Merit, and Programmatic Viability (ROM cost estimate).

• Evaluation Criteria (Full Proposal): Technical Merit, Innovation & IP, and Cost/Price.

• AI Use: Government may use AI tools for proposal analysis, but final decisions remain with government personnel.

• The Government will assess if offerors meet conditions under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d)(1), with a focus on significant participation from non-traditional defense contractors and/or small businesses.

• This CFS is issued under the parent Army Open Solicitation (AOS) W9128Z-25-S-A002.

• Offerors must assert compliance with critical threshold requirements in their Solution Brief.

• Intellectual Property: Government prefers Unlimited Rights; less than Government Purpose Rights (GPR) may be evaluated negatively.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a schedule for a "JPM CBRN Protection Industry Day" focusing on three systems: Biological Containment Isolation System (BCIS), Portable Patient Transport System (PPTS), and Shipboard Isolation System (SIS).

It outlines a "1-1 Schedule" divided into two groups, with specific time slots allocated for meetings between government representatives and various companies.

This document is relevant to potential bidders by indicating which companies participated in the industry day and the specific times they were scheduled for one-on-one sessions. This information can provide insight into potential teaming partners, competitors, or companies that have already engaged with the government on these systems.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by industry regarding the Broadened Chemical and Biological Protection System (BCIS) opportunity. It clarifies requirements, evaluation criteria, and procurement processes.

• Monitors: The system requires monitors for the anteroom and main room to alert on loss of pressure.
• Cost: Cost is a factor in evaluation, particularly for the production phase which will occur without further competition.
• Data Rights: The government requires unlimited data rights, though Government Purpose Rights are the minimum acceptable level.
• Integration: BCIS is intended to modify the existing USAF UTS TMT60 tent shelter, not replace other systems. It does not require integration with multiple structural systems.
• Production Quantity: Up to 15 systems are needed for production.
• Berry Amendment: Prototypes must be Berry compliant, as replicating testing for non-compliant prototypes incurs unacceptable costs.
• Funding: The effort will be awarded as an Other Transaction (OT) agreement, not subject to FAR cost principles, but all costs must be reasonable and allocable.
• Partnering: Partnering is preferred, especially with Non-Traditional Defense Contractors (NDCs) and small businesses, as it's a foundational element of the acquisition strategy.
• Procurement Process: This is procured via the Army Open Solicitation (AOS) as a direct agreement, not through a consortium. Follow-on production contracts are permissible under the Call for Solutions (CFS).
• Deadlines: Questions were due by April 1st, 2026, with submissions due by mid-May 2026. Final CFS/SOO will be posted after question consideration.

These clarifications refine the requirements and evaluation criteria. Offerors should ensure their proposals address these points, particularly regarding data rights, Berry Amendment compliance, and cost considerations for production. The procurement method (OT agreement via AOS) and partnering preferences are key strategic elements for bidders to consider.

Statement of Objective (SOO)

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) seeks innovative biological containment, isolation, and quarantine (BIQ) capabilities for managing High-Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) infected patients during contingency operations. The primary goal is to develop a negative pressure Multi-Patient BCIS tent/shelter, preferably by adapting existing DoD tents/shelters, to allow medical staff to monitor and treat patients while minimizing infection risk.

• Multi-Phase Prototype Project: Multiple awards are anticipated. Up to three contractors will be selected for Phase I, with a down-selection to up to two contractors for Phase II.

• Follow-on Production: Successful completion of a prototype may lead to a non-competitive follow-on production contract for up to 15 units.

• Phased Objectives:

  • Phase I: Deliver one prototype (min. TRL 6) to a CONUS location for setup, operational, and breakdown demonstration. Government will assess and conduct further lab testing.
  • Phase II: Deliver three prototypes (min. TRL 7) to a CONUS test facility, with one also used for operational/logistics demonstrations. Contractor will support initial key personnel training.

• Prototype Performance Thresholds:

  • Negative pressure: 0.01 In.w.g.
  • Air Changes per Hour (ACH): 12 ACH
  • Filtration Efficiency: 99.97% at 0.3-micron particle diameter
  • System Interruption: Visual alarm for pressure outside negative range
  • Patient Access: Anteroom for ingress/egress while maintaining negative pressure
  • Patient Movement: Accommodates standard litters (94” x 31”)
  • Power: Operates on military field power or integrated source
  • Reusability: Safely decontaminable and reusable
  • Noise Level: ≤ 75 dBA at operator position
  • Shelf Life: 5 years
  • Environmental: No degradation from wind, rain, sand, dust
  • EMI: Meets applicable MIL-STD-461
  • Transportation: Demonstrates transportability in stored configuration
  • Occupancy: Isolation room for at least 5 patients

• Data Deliverables: Master delivery schedule, firm-fixed-price for prototypes, projected unit cost for production, maximum monthly production rate, supporting documentation (TRL, lead times, test reports, HCID data, interoperability, power, durability), Berry Amendment compliance, Safety Assessment Report (SAR), manuals, and system support documentation.

• Data Rights: Government strongly prefers Unlimited Rights for all technical data, software, and IP. Restrictions may negatively impact evaluation.

• Proposal Requirements: Must address SOO objectives, include a draft SOW, master delivery schedule, total firm-fixed-price, projected unit cost for FRP, and demonstrated/projected production rate.

• Evaluation: Criteria include system weight, packaging, setup time/manpower, procurement cost, sustainment cost, producibility, and Human Systems Integration (HSI).

• Prototype development at Contractor's facility.

• Demonstrations and testing at CONUS Government facilities designated after award.

• Delivery desired within 60-90 days after award for Phase I, and 60-90 days after Phase II start for Phase II prototypes.

• Agreements Officer: Dan L. Adams, Jr. (dan.l.adams2.civ@army.mil)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Call for Solutions (CFS) seeks prototype solutions for a deployable Biological Containment Isolation System (BCIS) for managing Highly Communicable Infectious Disease (HCID) patients during contingency operations. The Government aims to rapidly isolate and treat infected individuals, manage disease control, and reduce transmission risks in austere environments. This CFS is issued under the Army Open Solicitation (AOS) W9128Z-25-S-A002.

• Threshold Requirements (Pass/Fail):

  • Negative Pressure Differential: 0.01 inches of water gauge.
  • Air Exchanges: 12 Exchanges / Hour.
  • Filtration Efficiency: 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles.
  • Exhaust filter located outside the containment enclosure.
  • Air filtration system operates in rain without degradation.
  • Meets non-traditional/small business participation conditions.

• Additional Requirements (for follow-on RSP): Draft SOW, Master Delivery Schedule, firm-fixed-price, Bill of Materials, data rights assertions, test plans/reports, maintainability/reliability data, logistical requirements, shelf-life.

• Authority: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

• Phased Effort:

  • Phase I: Up to three (3) awards for prototype development (TRL 6), delivery within 60-90 days.
  • Phase II: Up to two (2) performers selected for further prototype development (TRL 7).

• Two-Step Process:

  • Step 1: Solution Brief: Submit Solution Brief (15 pages max) and Supporting Data Package (PDF). Due date and POC email to be provided.
  • Step 2: Request for Solution Proposal (RSP): Invited for selected offerors.

• Evaluation Criteria (Step 1): Technical Merit, Innovation & IP, Non-Traditional/Small Business Participation.

• Evaluation Criteria (Step 2 - Phase I to Phase II): Technical Feasibility & Requirements Alignment, Integration Potential, Design Maturity & Risk Reduction, Programmatic Performance.

• Focus on significant participation from non-traditional defense contractors and/or small businesses (10 U.S.C. § 4022(d)(1)).

• Offerors must assert to meeting or exceeding stated Threshold Requirements in the initial Solution Brief.

• Government preference for Unlimited Rights for technical data and computer software.

• Successful completion of the prototype phase may lead to a non-competitive follow-on production award.