Request for Information (RFI) - Large-Scale Fixed Systems - Multi-Energy Portal and Low-Energy Portal

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to procure supplies and services related to Multi Energy Portal (MEP) and Large Energy Portal (LEP) X-Ray systems for the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Program. CBP intends to award multiple Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts.

• The IDIQ contracts will cover MEP and LEP X-Ray systems.

• Specifications for supplies and services are detailed in the attached Statement of Work (SOW) and Functional Requirements Document (FRD).

• Orders may include separately priced supply or service options.

• Installation services/civil works and Site Preparation, Engineering Services and Support will be priced as time and materials (T&M).

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Ordering Period: Five (5) years from the date of award.

• Maximum Buy: 60 systems, with a maximum contract value not to exceed $1.4 billion.

• Minimum Guarantee: One (1) MEP or LEP system via the initial Delivery Order.

• Period of Performance: The IDIQ contract will have a five (5) year ordering period (FY26-FY31) and ten years of maintenance. Delivery orders may have performance periods up to ten (10) years.

• Warranty: Each system will have a twelve (12) month minimum warranty.

• Proposals will be evaluated based on technical acceptability (Phase 1) and then technical approach, management approach, past performance, and price (Phase 2).

• Technical acceptability requires systems to be non-developmental, meet performance/life-cycle support parameters, and have been successfully demonstrated.

• Technical approach and management approach will be rated using confidence ratings.

• Past performance will be evaluated using customer questionnaires and federal databases.

• Price will be evaluated for reasonableness and will be a factor if technical proposals are essentially equal or if price is significantly high.

• Proposals must be submitted in four volumes: Technical Acceptability and Video, Technical, Past Performance, and Pricing.

• A video demonstrating the proposed system is required.

• Questions are due by May 21, 2026, 12:00 PM EST.

• Proposals are due by May 21, 2026, 12:00 PM EST.

• The acquisition is listed as Small Business Unrestricted.

• This RFI is part of Government Market Research and does not constitute a commitment to procure.

• Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Specific clauses related to security, data handling, and contractor personnel requirements are included.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To secure best-in-class Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment and systems, including Multi-Energy Portals (MEP) and Low-Energy Portals (LEP), with on-time delivery, installation, and support services to meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) operational requirements and mission.

• Provide Large-Scale Fixed NII systems (MEPs and LEPs) to improve inspection of vehicles and conveyances for illegal contraband (narcotics, currency, terrorist weapons).

• Tasks include equipment, site preparation, design, delivery, installation, civil works, image formatting, testing, verification, documentation, system interconnectivity, training, lifecycle support, warranties, and logistics.

• Systems will be deployed at various CBP Ports of Entry (POEs) along U.S. borders.

• Systems must be safe and create radiation exposure rates as low as possible.

• Systems must produce detailed images of vehicles to identify contraband.

• Operational Availability (Ao) and verifiable performance standards are key metrics.

• Monthly progress reports detailing efforts, completion, timelines, risks, and issues are required.

• Ordering period: Five (5) years, starting November 15, 2026 - November 14, 2031.

• Delivery locations: All relevant CBP POEs (land border crossings, checkpoints) within the United States, identified at the Task Order (TO) level.

• Contractor must adhere to all applicable Federal regulations, national standards, and DHS/CBP documents.

• Systems must be compliant with cloud-based architecture and specific integration requirements (Attachment 02a, 02b).

• Information Technology (IT) security policies must be followed (Attachment 11).

• Subcontracting requires prior written consent from the Contracting Officer (CO) and subcontractors must meet vetting requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 01a – Functional Requirements Document (FRD) - MEP," outlines the functional requirements for the Multi-Energy Portal (MEP) system. It details the system's purpose, configurations, use cases, and various requirements (functional, physical, performance, interface, survivability, security, and environmental) for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations.

• MEP System Overview: Describes the MEP system's role in scanning vehicles and cargo for threats and contraband at ports of entry.
• MEP Configurations: Details three configurations (Configuration 1, 2, and 3) tailored for different operational environments like Border Patrol checkpoints, seaports, and land border ports of entry.
• Use Cases: Outlines specific operational scenarios for each configuration, including Border Patrol Checkpoint, Seaport Inspection, and Land Border POE with Pre-Primary or Post-Primary Scan.
• Requirements: Encompasses detailed functional, physical, performance, interface, survivability, security, privacy, environmental, safety, and occupational health requirements for the MEP system and its components (e.g., X-Ray system, License Plate Reader, RFID Reader, OCR, Traffic Control System).
• Revision Summary: Provides a history of changes made to the document across various versions.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it defines the technical and operational specifications for the MEP system. Understanding these requirements is essential for developing proposals that meet CBP's needs for non-intrusive inspection technologies. It specifies the capabilities, performance standards, and integration requirements for systems designed to enhance border security and facilitate legitimate trade.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 01b – Functional Requirements Document (FRD) - Low-Energy Portal Systems," outlines the detailed functional and performance requirements for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Low-Energy Portal (LEP) systems. These systems are designed for drive-through, non-intrusive inspection (NII) of occupied vehicles at land border Ports of Entry (POEs).

• System Overview: Describes the LEP system's role in securing borders, facilitating trade, and enhancing travel efficiency through NII technologies.
• LEP Configurations: Details three types of LEP portals (Type 1, 2, and 3) designed for different scanning scenarios (pre-primary, primary, secondary) and vehicle types (passenger vehicles, buses, commercial trucks).
• Functional Requirements: Covers various system components including the LEP Unit, X-Ray System, Under-Vehicle Backscatter System (UVBS), License Plate Reader (LPR), RFID Reader, Traffic Control System (TCS), Vehicle Detection, CCTV, Data Storage, LEP Work Center, and NII Control Center.
• Performance Requirements: Specifies performance metrics for data availability, scanning speeds, throughput, and image quality for different system types.
• Physical Requirements: Outlines dimensions, installation, and environmental conditions for the LEP systems.
• Interface, Security, Survivability, and ESOH Requirements: Addresses interoperability with other systems, data protection, system resilience, and environmental, safety, and occupational health standards.

This document is critical for potential bidders as it defines the technical specifications, capabilities, and operational requirements for the LEP systems. Understanding these requirements is essential for developing compliant proposals and solutions for the procurement of these NII systems.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a standardized template (Attachment 8) for bidders to submit detailed pricing information for all required Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs). It ensures uniformity in proposals and aids in efficient evaluation.

• Pricing Table: Requires detailed pricing for all CLINs, including sub-CLINs. Bidders should provide estimates for all aspects of the CLINs, adding or omitting sub-CLINs as appropriate.

• Justification Tab: Requires a detailed explanation and rationale for the proposed pricing, supported by cost breakdowns, market research, or other relevant data.

• Assumptions Tab: Requires a clear outline of any assumptions made during proposal development (technical, operational, logistical) that impact pricing or performance.

• Mandatory Submission: Attachment 8 must be completed in full and submitted as part of the proposal package. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

• Evaluation: Proposals will be evaluated based on the accuracy, completeness, and reasonableness of the pricing, as well as the clarity and validity of the justification and assumptions provided.

• Questions: Bidders with questions regarding the use of this template should submit them in writing to the Contracting Officer before the proposal deadline.