SAM #HDTRA1IMSRadionuclideOM

DTRA Sources Sought for IMS Radionuclide Operations and Maintenance

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking information from potential sources for the operation and maintenance of U.S. International Monitoring System (IMS) radionuclide monitoring stations. - Government Buyer: - Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Department of Defense - Scope of Work: - Operation, maintenance, upgrade, and sustainment of Radionuclide Particulate and Noble Gas monitoring stations - Logistical support, repairs, spare and depot management - Hardware and software upgrades - Recapitalization planning - Preventive and corrective maintenance - System and detector calibrations - Engineering and development tasks - Operation of an engineering test bed and equipment depot - Design, manufacture, deployment, operation, and sustainment of a transportable radionuclide monitoring system with automated aerosol and noble gas collection and analysis - Requirements: - Stations must meet strict operational requirements for data quality and availability as defined by IMS Operational Manual and Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) - Performer must be capable of both technical operations and engineering development - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the notice - Products/Services Requested: - No specific part numbers or quantities provided; focus is on comprehensive station operations and maintenance - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Transportable monitoring system must be designed, manufactured, and sustained - Strict compliance with international monitoring standards - Notice is for market research only, not a solicitation for bids

Description

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE; there is no solicitation available at this time. No response will be provided to requests for solicitation. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS PUBLISHED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has a requirement as follows: DTRA is the Department of War (DoW) executive agent for the Nuclear Arms Control Technology (NACT) program which operates, maintains, and improves the majority of the U.S. portion of the International Monitoring System (IMS) in support of the United States Government (USG) and Department of War (DoW) objectives. The IMS was established to detect worldwide nuclear weapons tests via an extensive network that includes radionuclide, seismic, infrasound, and hydroacoustic monitoring technologies. The NACT program directly manages, operates, maintains, and improves these US IMS stations, involving primary and auxiliary seismic, infrasound, and radionuclide monitoring stations. Relevant to this Sources Sought Notice, the radionuclide technology includes aerosol particulate and noble gas systems. DTRA seeks a performer to operate and sustain the US IMS radionuclide monitoring stations, beginning August 2027. Each of these US IMS stations was designed and installed under supervision of the NACT program and according to the technical requirements specified in the relevant IMS Operational Manual. Each of these stations has also been formally certified. While the monitoring systems are standardized, each station has site-specific design considerations to optimize data quality, data availability, and improve long-term operations and sustainment. Following station certification by the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS), the configuration of each of the IMS stations has been strictly controlled and all changes in configuration since certification have been approved and documented according to the procedures outlined in the associated station operational manuals. The US IMS stations are operated in accordance with provisional operational guidance defined by the PTS for the entire IMS network of stations. The NACT program objective is for the radionuclide stations to continue to meet the operational requirement of 95% authenticated data availability that meets CTBT data quality parameters (such as peak resolution, energy calibration drifts, or peak shape). [Note: data quality is a measure of how well data from a monitoring station are within tolerances, have correct time, adhere to calibration and certification standards, and are free of aberrations such as low or zero airflow rates, or spikes and gaps.] The US IMS station operations are generally automated and do not require a continuous daily on-site presence of a highly skilled station operator or engineer. The station operator should maximize remote performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and repair of the stations. In general, the achievement and sustainment of a sufficient level of US IMS station performance periodically require the efforts of a local caretaker to accomplish light housekeeping tasks, replenish consumables, and make minor adjustments as required to the station facilities and systems. These station caretaker activities are typically performed under the supervision and direction of the station operator. Further, the US IMS stations occasionally require varying levels of preventative and unscheduled maintenance or upgrades which must be carried out by the system operators to sustain required data availability and data quality. If these maintenance activities are of significant complexity, the station’s technical parameters and performance may need to be reviewed and revalidated by the PTS following completion of the maintenance activity. Station operators are responsible for the provision of continuous and timely monitoring data and IMS station state-of-health data from each US IMS station to the International Data Centre (IDC). They are also responsible for providing station technical documentation, problem reporting, and configuration updates as required by the operations manuals and the PTS. Each US IMS station has a Global Communications Infrastructure (GCI) system installed and maintained by a contractor under the direction of the PTS. The GCI system transmits all required IMS station data between the station and the IDC via various communication technologies, including satellite, internet, and cellular. It also enables two-way communication for command and control actions and operational troubleshooting. Additionally, NACT stations maintain a supplemental direct communication link for operational support and maintenance. Additional requirements include: Operate, maintain, upgrade, and sustain Radionuclide Particulate monitoring stations for the US monitoring effort. Operate, maintain, upgrade, and sustain Radionuclide Noble Gas monitoring systems for the US monitoring effort. Provide all necessary logistical support and sustainment for each US IMS station infrastructure and installed monitoring system, including repairs, spare management, upgrades, and recapitalization planning. Perform preventive and unscheduled corrective maintenance of the station structures and equipment to ensure continuous operational capability and optimal data quality. Perform system and detector calibrations and tuning to meet operational data quality requirements as specified in the operations manuals. Conduct NACT O&M activities in accordance with existing or planned support and lease agreements, including establishing lease arrangements with landowners when stations are on private or non-Federal properties. Support the PTS GCI performer and IDC in troubleshooting and resolving communication issues to ensure efficient data transmission. Conduct engineering and development tasks on systems and components to operationalize prototypes, conduct testing, and transition systems into normal operations, including improvements in performance, automation, and predictive maintenance. Operate and maintain an engineering test bed and equipment depot to support radionuclide systems and stations, including a parallel particulate aerosol and noble gas collection and analysis system. Design, manufacture, deploy, operate, and sustain a transportable radionuclide international monitoring system with automated aerosol and noble gas collection and analysis capabilities. Parties responding to this RFI are encouraged to offer input on the most efficient ways to operate and maintain the US IMS stations. Capable and/or conceptual solutions are invited to respond by the designated time and date. Responses should be limited to a five (5) page white paper in 12-point Times New Roman font, excluding cover page, cover letter, and table of contents. Proprietary information should be clearly identified. Submitted data will not be returned. Submission of information is voluntary, and the Government will not reimburse respondents for their submissions. This notice is for planning purposes only.

View original listing