Explosive Detection Equipment
| Location: | Washington |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Nov 18, 2025 |
| Due: | Dec 23, 2025 |
| Agency: | Port of Bellingham |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | MESS 25-3 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Number: |
MESS 25-3
|
| Bid Title: |
Explosive Detection Equipment
|
| Category: | Materials, Equipment, Supplies & Services |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
BLI EXPLOSIVE DETECTION EQUIPMENT,
BELLINGHAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Port of Bellingham
Bellingham, WA
Issue Date:
Issued By:
Proposals Due:
November 18, 2025
The Port of Bellingham
1801 Roeder Ave, Suite 146
Bellingham WA, 98225
December 23, 2025, by 2:00 p.m. (PST)
ONE (1) DIGITAL COPY REQUIRED
1801 Roeder Avenue P. O. Box 1677 Bellingham, WA 98227-1677 Phone (360) 676-2500 Fax (360) 671-6411
www.portofbellingham.com
2
PURPOSE
The Port of Bellingham is seeking qualified vendors to provide portable explosive detection
equipment for use by Airport staff in conducting security screenings of airport workers at
Bellingham International Airport (BLI). The equipment will support the airport’s compliance with
security standards and enhance operational safety by providing reliable detection of explosives and
related threat substances.
BLI conducts airport worker screening as part of its security compliance program. To improve
operational capability, the Airport requires the procurement of two (2) portable explosive detection
units, along with on-site training for staff. Equipment must be suitable for deployment in non-
laboratory, operational environments and capable of detecting explosives, homemade explosive
precursors, and other threat substances.
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The deadline for proposal submittals is 2:00 P.M. PST, December 23, 2025.
The official time (PST) shall be taken from the designated clock at the Port Administrative Offices.
Bids received after the specified time and date will not be considered.
Respondents must submit one copy of the proposal in PDF format via email, USB flash drive, or CD
as outlined below. Submittals will only be accepted in digital (PDF) format; printed submittals are
not acceptable.
All proposals submitted must have a subject line or label stating “RFP: BLI Explosive Detection
Equipment, Bellingham International Airport”.
Respondents may use the following submittal methods:
PDF Attachment (under 20 MB)
E-mail (please send a follow-up email to confirm receipt)
Procurement
procurement@portofbellingham.com
USB flash drive or CD
Hand-delivered or Courier
Port of Bellingham
ATTN: Procurement
1801 Roeder Avenue, Suite 146
Bellingham, WA 98225
1801 Roeder Avenue P. O. Box 1677 Bellingham, WA 98227-1677 Phone (360) 676-2500 Fax (360) 671-6411
www.portofbellingham.com
3
Proposal Conditions and Signature Requirements
• The Port reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this
solicitation
• All submissions become the property of the Port of Bellingham and will not be returned.
• It is incumbent upon the respondents to independently confirm the accuracy of all information
contained within this RFP.
• All terms, conditions, and requirements set forth in this RFP are considered accepted by the
Proposer upon submission.
• The selected proposal will become part of the final contractual agreement and will be included as
an attachment.
• Proposers must submit signed proposals on official company letterhead.
• Information provided in this solicitation process are subject to the public disclosure laws and
should be considered to be public information and available for review upon request.
• Expenses in the preparation of this solicitation are solely the responsibility of the respondent.
Signature Requirements:
• Partnerships: Proposals must be signed with the partnership name by one of the partners or an
authorized representative, followed by their printed name and title.
• Corporations: Proposals must be signed with the full legal name of the corporation, followed by
the signature and title of a duly authorized officer (e.g., President, Vice President).
• By signing the proposal, the signer affirms that they are authorized to bind the Proposer to all
commitments made in the submission.
ADDENDA
The Port may amend, in whole or in part, any terms or provisions of the RFP before its closing
time. All Addenda will be posted on the RFP webpage
https://www.portofbellingham.com/bids.aspx. The Proposers are responsible for checking this site
for any Addendums.
INQUIRIES
Direct Inquiries related to this solicitation to:
Matt Rodriguez, Director of Aviation
matthewr@portofbellingham.com
Any and all questions must be submitted in writing no later than 5:00 PM, local time, on December
3, 2025. All questions and their answers will be posted by December 8 on the RFP website:
https://www.portofbellingham.com/bids.aspx. Responses to questions will not be emailed. The
proposer is responsible for checking this webpage and using the information therein.
1801 Roeder Avenue P. O. Box 1677 Bellingham, WA 98227-1677 Phone (360) 676-2500 Fax (360) 671-6411
www.portofbellingham.com
4
SCHEDULE:
Date
November 18, 2025
December 3, 2025
December 8, 2025
December 23, 2025
Dec.23 – Jan. 6, 2026
January 12, 2026
Event
RFP Advertised
Pre-bid Questions (in writing) due by 5 PM (PST)
Pre-bid Response(s) to Questions
RFP Submittals Due
Port of Bellingham Internal Review of Submittals
Successful Proposal Selected
SPECIFICATIONS OF EQUIPMENT & TRAINING
The vendor shall provide:
1. Two (2) battery-operated portable explosive detection units meeting the following
requirements:
a. Handheld or portable form factor suitable for use at airport access points
b. Two (2) additional batteries (not including the batteries that come with each unit)
i. NOTE: If an ETD (Explosives Trace Detector) battery-operated unit cannot
provide at least 2 hours of continuous use, the vendor may instead propose a
power-supplied unit. However, the vendor’s proposal must also include a portable
power station capable of operating the ETD for a minimum of 2 hours.
c. Detection capability for explosives and precursors, including homemade explosives
d. Proven field use or TSA-evaluated (examples include Colorimetric Explosive Trace
Detection (ETD) kits or handheld integrated ETD solutions)
e. Rapid analysis and unambiguous indication of detection results
f. Less than 10-minute start-up time
g. USB Data Export
2. On-site training program for BLI staff:
a. Training for 14 staff members
b. Conducted over one (1) week, Monday through Friday, and accommodate the airport’s
schedule
c. Training must include both classroom instruction and hands-on use
d. Vendor to provide training materials and certification of completion
1801 Roeder Avenue P. O. Box 1677 Bellingham, WA 98227-1677 Phone (360) 676-2500 Fax (360) 671-6411
www.portofbellingham.com
5
3. Maintenance and Support:
a. Warranty coverage for a minimum of 12 months
b. Availability of consumables (if applicable)
c. Technical support during warranty period
EVALUATION OF SUBMITTALS
The Port of Bellingham shall evaluate the submittals of interested firms using the following
criteria.
Criterion
1. Equipment Technical
Compliance
2. Price Proposal
Description
Meets or exceeds required specifications (portable,
handheld, detection capability for explosives &
precursors, closed system preferred, TSA-tested or
equivalent)
Points
Possible
30
Total cost of equipment, training, warranty, and
30
support, including 8.8% WA State Sales Tax.
3. Ease of Use & Operational User interface, portability, maintenance
15
Suitability
requirements, and durability in airport
environments
4. Training Program
Quality and completeness of training for 14 staff
15
(schedule flexibility, materials, hands-on
practice, vendor expertise)
5. Vendor Qualifications & Experience providing ETD equipment, references,
10
Support
warranty, and ongoing support/maintenance
100
SCORING GUIDANCE
• Equipment Technical Compliance (30 points): Evaluators should focus on detection
capabilities, whether the system is closed vs. open (safety), portability, and TSA or DHS
field-tested status.
• Price (30 points): Proposals must include Washington State Sales Tax at 8.8%.
• Ease of Use (15 points): Consider operator burden, simplicity, speed, and likelihood of
adoption by staff.
• Training (15 points): Strong programs should include on-site, scenario-based, and hands-on
training, with all materials provided.
• Vendor Qualifications (10 points): Check references, industry experience, warranty terms,
and responsiveness.
1801 Roeder Avenue P. O. Box 1677 Bellingham, WA 98227-1677 Phone (360) 676-2500 Fax (360) 671-6411
www.portofbellingham.com
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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