Screening System Data Consortium Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions and responses related to the TSL Data Consortium, likely in preparation for a forthcoming industry day or a related solicitation.

• Zero Trust Principles & AWS GovCloud: Deployment via AWS and other platforms is under discussion. Further details will be provided at the industry day.
• Agile Approach & Obsolescence: Integrating an agile approach can foster collaboration and iterative development. New tools or infrastructure will be addressed via a separate RFP.
• Data Governance & Access: The primary challenge is enabling effective, budget-conscious data access, not data governance itself. Tools will be subject to separate RFPs.
• Augmented Datasets: TSL assumes contributed datasets will be valuable. While members may use proprietary technology to enhance datasets, TSL will not review or attribute credit for such enhancements.
• Equitable Exchange & "Free-Rider" Problem: There is no baseline contribution requirement, but members who do not add value may receive limited benefit.
• Intellectual Property (IP): Algorithms trained on Consortium data remain the property of the developer, unless specifically sponsored by DHS. DHS is establishing a marketplace for hardware and algorithm developers.
• Data Formats: DICOS is the preferred format, but other formats will be considered.
• Synthetic Data: TSL will treat data fidelity and validity separately, aiming to accurately characterize fidelity for use cases. Correspondence between raw data and annotations must be accurate.
• CRADA Term: The CRADA has an initial period of performance of 3 years, with potential for indefinite renewal.

This Q&A document provides critical clarifications on consortium participation, data handling, IP rights, and technical approaches. Bidders should review these responses carefully as they may influence their understanding of the opportunity and their proposal strategy. Key topics like data access, IP, and future procurements (RFPs for tools/infrastructure) are addressed.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in conjunction with the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL), to gather information for establishing a consortium Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The goal is to create a marketplace for sharing sensor data (X-ray CT and millimeter wave) to support the development and transition of more capable threat detection software. This initiative aims to foster collaboration between algorithm developers, equipment manufacturers, software developers, testing laboratories, and end-users.

• Consortium CRADA Focus: Sharing of X-ray CT and millimeter wave data from baggage, personal property, air cargo, and on-person screening systems.

• Data Types: Includes stream of commerce items, prohibited items, threats, and objects, potentially including synthetically generated data.

• Data Management: TSL will manage and host the data, facilitating transfers via hard drives, secure file sharing, or cloud-based methods.

• Data Format: Data will be accessible to all consortium members, likely in DICOS format.

• Data Labeling: Generic labels or arbitrary classes up to SSI classification level.

• Membership: Both U.S. and foreign organizations are eligible but require suitability determination. Consortium members are prohibited from sharing data with non-members.

• Potential Outcomes: Successful algorithm development may lead to further testing and evaluation within TSL's developmental test and evaluation program.

• Submission Deadline: Interested parties must submit requested information by Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 2:00 PM EST.

• Submission Email: TSLINFO@ST.DHS.GOV

• Requested Information: RFI number, company name, country of origin, field of study/interest, point of contact details, and any comments/questions.

• Government Response: Comments may receive a written response and will be shared with interested parties. The Government may also schedule meetings with respondents.

• This RFI is for market research purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or quotes.

• The Government will not pay for any response or demonstration expenses.

• Failure to respond will not preclude future participation in solicitations.

• Any information received becomes Government property and will not be returned.