SOLICITATION NOTICE
59 -- RFI for DNA Marking Technologies
- Notice Date
- 10/15/2012
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 334419
— Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Defense Logistics Agency, DLA Acquisition Locations, DLA Aviation - BSM, 8000 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, Virginia, 23297-5000, United States
- ZIP Code
- 23297-5000
- Solicitation Number
- RFI_DNA_01
- Archive Date
- 11/30/2012
- Point of Contact
- Daniel McLaughlin,
- E-Mail Address
-
daniel.mclaughlin@dla.mil
(daniel.mclaughlin@dla.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS AN RFI FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND NOT A SOLICITATION REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY 1.0 Description. 1.1 The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is seeking information concerning existing techniques and technologies that provide the ability to mark items in a manner that authenticates the source of supply via an unalterable, untamperable means. In an effort to protect our warfighters from the possible catastrophic consequences that might result from the use of counterfeit and other nonconforming items in our weapon systems, DLA has mandated the use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) authentication marking for all future procurements of items falling within Federal Supply Class (FSC) 5962, Electronic Microcircuits. At the present time, Applied DNA Sciences has been identified as the single known source for a botanical DNA marking technology with proven use in authentication marking by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that also has associated processes in place for quality assurance/security and is ready for immediate implementation. DLA is seeking information on alternative approaches for authenticating sources of supply, whether by use of DNA or other marking technologies, for application to FSC 5962 and other FSCs. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for market survey purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. DLA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals related to the subject matter of this RFI. The information contained in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Issuance of this RFI should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Respondees are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Any and all costs associated with submitting a response to this RFI will be solely at the expense of the submitting party. DLA intends to use the information provided in response to this RFI to determine the adequacy of alternative authentication approaches to meet the attributes described in Section 3.0, Requested Information. 2.0 Background. Counterfeit electronic devices and components are a serious threat to our military service customers. Detecting counterfeits is an expensive process requiring extensive testing. As counterfeiters become more sophisticated, detection becomes more difficult and resource-intensive. An alternative approach is to provide the ability for items to be marked in a manner that authenticates the source of supply. The ability of custom botanical DNA marks to provide authentication has been successfully demonstrated when item marking is applied by the OEM. DLA is seeking information about alternative techniques, technologies, and capabilities, including other DNA marking technologies, that can provide authentication of items. The information provided must be sufficient for DLA to determine that the authentication provided by the proposed alternative approach can provide assurance of the source of the item. DLA's focus is on technologies that meet or exceed the authentication and other related characteristics known to be available from custom botanical DNA marking. 3.0 Requested Information. The four principal attributes of a high-security, anti-counterfeiting item marking technology are: (1) Inherent physical properties that cannot be replicated; (2) Inability to be physically removed and reattached; (3) Unique identification at the required level of authentication; and (4) A track and trace system to authenticate marked items. The physical properties provide a unique fingerprint for each item that can be serialized for tracking and tracing. It is important that an anti-counterfeiting technology cannot be removed and reattached, otherwise the technology is relying on the difficulty of removal and reattachment for its security. Serialization and track and trace attributes are characteristics of technology implementation that provide for widespread usage and adequate methodologies for cost-effective, conclusive authentication. Responses must provide information that will allow DLA to evaluate the feasibility, practicality, repeatability, security, and performance of the proposed authentication marking method and shall address the following: • Ability to provide a unique marking technique that cannot be replicated and that offers forensic proof of authenticity of the source of supply; • Impact of marking on environmental or personnel safety; • Ability to be integrated into existing production processes; • Ability to mark small items, such as individual microcircuits; • Types of surface finishes to which marking can be applied; • Impact on technical integrity (form, fit, and function) of the item that is marked; • Outcomes of use in other markets for authentication marking; • Ability to defeat transfer or replication; • Confirmation testing conducted by reputable, independent laboratory; • Ability to withstand and remain stable under extreme environmental conditions, such as those experienced in electronic component production and weapon system operating environments; and • Processes in place to ensure marking material is not diverted or misused by manufacturers, distributors, or unrelated third parties. 4.0 Responses. 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 4.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office 2010 compatible format are due no later than November 15, 2012. Responses shall be limited to 50 pages for Section 2 and submitted via e-mail to daniel.mclaughlin@dla.mil. All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. Any properly marked and segregated proprietary information submitted will be retained by the Government or, if so requested, destroyed by the Government following its consideration and review. DLA may use a support contractor to assist in the review of submissions, in which case such contractor shall be bound by a non-disclosure agreement with the Government. 4.3 Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information to include the following: Name; mailing address; overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address); phone number; fax number; and name, phone number, and e-mail address of designated point of contact. 4.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall address the issues identified in Section 3 of this RFI. 5.0 Industry Discussions. DLA representatives may or may not choose to meet with representatives of respondees for further discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain additional information about the potential capability of the technique/technology to meet the requirements set forth in Section 3.0 of the RFI and to discuss any development and/or certification risks. 6.0 Questions. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Dan McLaughlin at daniel.mclaughlin@dla.mil. Verbal inquiries will not be accepted. Questions will be answered in writing by email.
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