SOURCES SOUGHT
79 -- Bio-Based Cleaner Substitute
- Notice Date
- 12/8/2005
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 325414
— Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- DHS - Border and Transportation Security, Transportation Security Administration, Headquarters TSA, 601 S. 12th Street TSA-25, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA, 22202
- ZIP Code
- 22202
- Solicitation Number
- HSTS03-06-R-CAO900
- Response Due
- 1/8/2006
- Archive Date
- 1/23/2006
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This is a sources sought notice for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE). TSA?s OSHE seeks a bio-based, non-alcohol cleaner to be used in tests to potentially replace those cleaning solutions used by screeners at checkpoints in airports throughout the country. This sources sought notice represents the only synopsis or solicitation that will be issued for vendors that wish to have their products included for testing and a possible pilot program. This solicitation is a small business set-aside. Though TSA desires to select a product as a permanent cleaning solution, TSA reserves the right not to select any products that do not successfully pass each stage of testing and makes no commitment or guarantee to purchase any product or award a contract to any vendor. For initial testing (as described below) interested vendors shall provide 1 pint of product at their own expense (including shipping) to the TSA Lab. For those products that pass initial testing and move on to phase 2 TSA will purchase the needed quantities via purchase card. Testing will be conducted as follows: Background The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) routinely inspects carry-on items and checked items for the presence of substances that are forbidden aboard passenger aircraft. Many of the forbidden substances are related to explosive chemicals and produce residues of nitrate, nitrite, and other active groups associated with explosives. Explosive trace detection devices are used to test the luggage for explosive residue content. When the carry-on items and checked items are inspected they are placed on a flat surface that is usually a stainless steel table top. The presence of forbidden substances leave residues on the table top which must be cleaned in order to not contaminate subsequent items placed on the table top for inspection. The current product that is used to clean the residue from the table tops (normally 70% isopropyl alcohol/30% water) is volatile, flammable, and produces an odor that some screeners find noxious. Statement of Objectives TSA is seeking to evaluate surface cleaners that will successfully remove trace residues of explosive materials. The surface cleaner must be manufactured from a renewable agricultural source and be a spray-on/wipe-off product that does not require rinsing with water. The evaluation will be done in 2 phases: Phase 1 will be a test of the product(s) at the TSA Laboratory. Interested participants shall submit, at their own cost, 1 pint of their offered product along with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to the TSA Laboratory in Atlantic City, NJ. The address is: Sheldon Brunk, Ph.D. TSA, Transportation Security Lab Wm. J. Hughes Technical Center, Bldg. 315 Atlantic City Airport, NJ 08405 The MSDS, at a minimum, must contain the following elements: Flash Point, Viscosity and Evaporation Rate as compared to water. Products will be tested at least twice and on two different days. All products will be tested in an identical manner. Products that pass the TSA Lab test may be further considered for pilot testing at select airports. In order to qualify for this pilot program, products must not only pass the lab test, but must have a flash point higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit and must have an evaporation rate no less than equal to that of water. While these are the minimums required, those products that pass requirements and have a Flash Point greater than 200 F and have an Evaporation Rate greater than water, as clearly indicated on the MSDS, will receive priority consideration for participating in the pilot testing. The Government reserves the right to not consider products that do not meet the above requirements or the requirements stated within this Statement of Objectives. In addition, the product must meet the following criteria: Properties of surface cleaner a. Biobased product derived from agricultural or renewable product sources b. Minimal human toxicity (The product shall not be required to be labeled because it is toxic or highly toxic, as defined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC.) c. Will not contain carcinogens or reproductive toxins d. Pre-diluted and ready for use e. Will not require rinsing to clean metal surfaces f. Will not stain metal surfaces such as stainless steel g. Preferably will not contain nitrogen compounds h. Will be phosphate free (Phosphates and phosphonates will not be present at more than 0.5 percent by weight.) i. The product shall not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in concentrations exceeding 10 percent by weight of the product j. Will not contain reactive functional groups such as nitrates, nitrites, esters, ethers, and peroxides that may cause false positive responses from explosive trace detection devices k. Will not be formulated with heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, selenium, or nickel) l. Will be biodegradable Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to down-select product participation for those products that pass requirements and have a Flash Point greater than 170F or greater than 200 F and Evaporation Rate equal to Water dependent on the number of products that pass all requirements. Phase 2 (to which this Statement of Objectives applies) will be conducted at select airport(s) for which samples of the most highly rated product(s) will be procured via a purchase order or purchase card. In both phases, TSA reserves the right to test product(s) over a 2 month time period. Requirements 1) Delivery ? Contractor(s) shall deliver to select Federalized Airports CONUS. Locations to be determined. 2) Provide material safety data sheet (MSDS) and documentation including the following information: a. Flash point (must be greater than 140 degrees Fahrenheit; preferably greater than 200 degrees Fahrenheit) b. Evaporation rate (compared to water = 1). Must be at minimum equal to water, preferably greater. 3) Containers a. Surface cleaner to be provided in approximately 1-pint containers for direct use b. Plastic spray bottles of approximately 1-pint capacity with interchangeable trigger spray and bottle cap lids c. Aerosol cans are not acceptable d. Provide separate trigger spray lids to fit bottles (One trigger per five bottles) 4) Delivery a. Cleaner ? TSA shall receive product(s) within 15 days after receipt of order b. At least a 24-hour notice shall be given by the vendor to the designated TSA airport recipient prior to delivery. c. Within 72 hours after delivery, send an electronic notice sent to TSA OSHE office confirming delivery has been completed. The notice will include the following information: i. Name of person that accepted shipment ii. date of delivery 5) Order method ? Regardless of the order method (P-card or Purchase requisition) the same requirements apply 6) Evaluation Criteria ? vendors shall be evaluated on the following: a. Availability of products that meet the required specifications: Product will be evaluated on a ?pass/fail? basis as to whether they cause false positive readings on the explosive trace detection devices and whether they meet the other required specifications. All interested vendors must first contact TSA?s Office of Acquisition (OA) before submitting a product for testing. The point of contact for TSA is Mark Urciuolo, 571-227-4213 or mark.urciuolo@associates.dhs.gov. Once OA has been notified vendors may send products to TSA Laboratory at the address listed above. Vendors may submit more than one product if desired, however, all products must meet the stated specifications and a separate MSDS must accompany each sample submitted. It is the responsibility of the vendor to confirm that the product has been received by the TSA Lab in Atlantic City. TSA will notify each vendor in writing at the end of phase 1 testing as to whether or not the submitted product(s) passed initial testing to be included in Phase 2. All vendors must notify the TSA point of contact and all products must be received by the TSA Lab no later than January 8, 2006. DRAFT TESTING PROCEDURES FOR SURFACE CLEANER FEASIBILITY STUDY 1. Begin with a table top that is known or believed to be clean. 2. Calibrate and zero an explosives detection device. 3. Using swipes appropriate to the ETD make 4 wipes randomly across the table top. 4. Place the swipe in a calibrated and zeroed ETD. Confirm that the reading is zero (or less than the lower detectable limit of the ETD). 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times. 6. Spray the table top with the test cleaner solution and wipe dry. 7. Repeat steps 3 and 4 three times. 8. Completely clean the table top using alcohol, acetone or other suitable solvent. 9. Smear an explosive compound on the table top, and repeat step 3. 10. Using swipes appropriate to the ETD make 4 wipes randomly across the table top. 11. Place the swipe in a calibrated and zeroed ETD. Confirm that the ETD registers an explosive compound in the detectable range. 12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 two more times. 13. Spray the table top with the test cleaner solution and wipe dry. If there is any visible explosive compound wipe it away. Treat the table top exactly as if isopropyl alcohol is being used. 14. Using swipes appropriate to the ETD make 4 wipes randomly across the table top. 15. Place the swipe in a calibrated and zeroed ETD. Confirm that the reading is zero (or less than the lower detectable limit of the ETD), and mark the sample as ?passed? or else mark the sample as ?failed?. 16. Repeat steps 14 and 15 two more times. 17. Repeat the entire experiment on two more different days. Observe the table top for oily or sticky cleaner residue. Subjectively evaluate whether the cleaner would be easy and appropriate to use day to day at an airport. Repeat the entire procedure on at least one other ETD. If the sample passes all tests, mark the sample for luggage testing. EFFECTS ON LUGGAGE The purpose of the bio-based cleaner will be to clean a table top, and direct contact with passenger luggage will be a rare occurrence. Passenger luggage will simply be placed on the clean table top for further inspection. It is possible that from time to time a piece of luggage or a portion of a piece of luggage such as the bottom or wheels may be superficially cleaned to remove dirt, dust or residue that may be suspected of causing an alarm on an ETD, and there may be some remote possibility that luggage will be wetted by the cleaner spray in an accidental manner. The wipe testing of the luggage with the swipes that are inserted into the ETD will confirm if there is alarm causing residue on the luggage or in the luggage. The components of the bio-based cleaner will be similar to most commercially available detergents, hand cleaners and fabric cleaners. The bio-based cleaner will also be diluted and ready for use. Therefore, it is not anticipated that any cleaner chosen for validation testing would have any effect on common luggage manufacturing materials, including nylon and other synthetic fabrics, cotton, wool or other natural fabrics, plastics and fiber reinforced plastics, and natural or synthetic rubber. To confirm that a cleaner would be unlikely to cause luggage damage over a long period of time after many repeated contacts with a table surface (or even through direct contact of luggage with the cleaner) simple additional testing is required. Using typical articles of luggage that are available to TSA, test cleaners that have passed the residue cleaning test in the following manner. 1. Spray a portion of typical luggage material with the cleaner and vigorously wipe it with a paper towel or cloth. Wait one hour. Confirm that the luggage fabric does not become sticky or show signs of dissolving when compared to similar materials that have not been sprayed. 2. Spray a portion of the bottom, feet or wheels of a typical piece of luggage. Wait one hour. Confirm that the luggage does not soften, become sticky or show signs of dissolving when compared to similar materials that have not been sprayed. Note that dyes and appliqu?s may not be color fast when contacted directly by the cleaner. This must be considered an acceptable risk by the passenger. PILOT TESTING Bio-based cleaners that pass the tests for the removal of ETD alarm causing residues from the table top and that do not cause obvious signs of luggage damage can be marked as suitable for testing in a pilot program. Alcohol Substitution Pilot Testing Plan Purpose The purpose of this pilot testing program is to confirm in the field the safety and efficiency of certain bio-based biodegradable surface cleaners that have been preliminarily evaluated by the TSA Transportation Security Laboratory. Several surface cleaners may be tested. Goals The primary goal of this program is to find suitable alternative safe and effective substitutes for isopropyl alcohol as a surface cleaning agent at TSA checkpoints and checked baggage areas. Additional goals are to reduce the quantity of flammable Class 1-B material that must be stored by TSA, to reduce the quantity of volatile emissions to the atmosphere in the work area and to reduce the number of worker complaints regarding odor and in some cases the physical effects. The tested materials will be odorless or have a pleasing, non-medicinal odor, generally colorless or perhaps mildly tinged with color and have no effects on the skin. Project Scope A bio-based cleaner will be substituted for isopropyl alcohol at select checkpoints and at select checked baggage screening areas. The substitution shall be exact, and the existing standard operating procedures (SOP) shall be followed. There may be several or a few bio-based cleaners selected for testing. In order to prevent confusion only one bio-based cleaner will be tested at any one airport during the testing period. The testing period will be eight weeks if the cleaner is judged to be performing positively. A cleaner that is judged to be performing negatively may be withdrawn from testing at a specific airport immediately. Effects on Operations: Personnel Minimum effects on TSO duties The testing program shall follow the existing SOPs for surface cleaning at the explosives trace detection (ETD) device examination tables, and no additional time or personnel will be required. The TSO?s will be asked to supply their opinion of the products tested by filling out a survey. Additional duties of lead screeners and/or screening supervisors Lead TSO?s and/or TSO supervisors will be asked to assume some minor additional duties during this testing period. The additional duties will include properly managing and dispensing the test materials to the ETD stations, answering a questionnaire or questionnaires on a periodic basis, observing the operations and noting any changes for good or bad that are a result of the tested materials. The TSO?s who are certified to perform daily and periodic calibration and cleaning of the ETD devices will be asked to closely watch for any increases in required maintenance or calibration, and difficulties with the ETD operation that could be attributed to the tested materials, and any indications of long term effects on the devices. Additional duties of Environmental Management Coordinators Environmental management coordinators will be asked to assume some minor additional duties during this testing period. The additional duties will include properly storing and dispensing the test materials for use to the ETD stations, maintaining a file of questionnaires, and observing the operations and noting and reporting on any changes for good or bad that are a result of the tested materials. Effects on Operations: Airport Screening Areas It is expected that any larger airport with multiple screening areas which is asked to participate in the testing program will be asked to evaluate the products across multiple screening areas with the intention of obtaining input from as many personnel as possible. However, in order to protect the integrity of the existing system not all screening locations will be evaluating the potential replacement products at the same time. In the event that a problem is discovered with the test product as it relates to the ETD devices the screening location not included in the test will remain operational. If it is determined that a smaller airport with only one screening location should participate in the testing, supervisors will be asked to be extra vigilant with regard to noticing any effects of the test product on the ETD devices. It is expected that the questionnaire that will be developed to accompany the testing will include the identification of the screening location, as well as the brand identification and machine identification of the ETD device used at that screening location. This will result in useful information regarding each brand of ETD and each model of each brand of ETD that is in use at an airport. All successful vendors will receive a copy of the blank questionnaire as well as the TSO survey prior to the beginning of phase 2 testing. ETD Portals Testing will also be conducted on both brands of ETD portals, which have been certified and are used by TSA. Selection of Airports for Testing Airport Selection Criteria TSA Reserves the right to choose airport selection criteria. It is currently anticipated that airports selected for testing will meet the following criteria: 1. Have enough false alarms at the ETD devices at the passenger screening areas to provide historical data. 2. Have enough inspections at the checked luggage inspection area to provide historical data. 3. Have some variation in the cause of ETD false alarms; i.e., medical, construction and agricultural as opposed to mostly medical. 4. Have cooperative and willing personnel. However, TSA may choose other criteria for selection of airports. In that event, all vendors whose products have reached phase 2 will be notified of the criteria and all products placements will subject equally to the same criteria. Airports will be selected so that all brands of ETD devices are in the test. TSA will alert those vendors whose products have successfully passed phase 1 testing that the products will be used in phase 2. All products will be used at an equal number of airports. TSA will alert all vendors as to the total number of airports involved and the number of airports at which each product will be tested. Depending on the number of candidate biobased cleaners that are given a positive result by laboratory testing, some airports may be requested to repeat the testing on additional products. Testing Tools and Other Requirements Testing tools will consist of spray bottles of biobased cleaner that are prediluted and ready for use, and log forms, questionnaires and survey forms that are not presently developed. When developed, identical log forms, questionnaires and survey forms will be used for all products. No special apparatus or equipment will be required. Information Retrieved Each ETD device records alarms. The numbers and times of alarms will be recorded and compared against historical data in order to compare. Any ?event? will be noted on a daily log form. For instance, if there is an alarm and the table is cleaned and the table top is sampled and another alarm sounds, this will be an event. The number of times that cleaning is required to clean the table top will be recorded. Conclusions to be Reached The conclusions to be reached are: (1) is the tested product suitable for alcohol replacement, (2) is the quantity of use and cost competitive with alcohol, and (3) are there any other benefits of the tested product such as a reduction in the number of worker complaints. At the end of testing, including the initial laboratory testing, the vendors of successful biobased biodegradable cleaners will have their products listed for use as a consumable item for the screening lines, and the further use of isopropyl alcohol will be discouraged. Other Uses for Isopropyl Alcohol The manufacturer?s specifications for daily maintenance and calibration will not be affected by these tests. Where isopropyl alcohol is specified by the equipment manufacturer isopropyl alcohol will continue to be used.
- Place of Performance
- Address: US Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, 701 South 12th St, Arlington VA
- Zip Code: 22202
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 22202
- Record
- SN00947864-W 20051210/051208211607 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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