Sole Source Special Notice for Maintenance and Service, Including all Parts and Labor, for one Rapiscan Systems Gemini X-ray System used in DOT’s Security-Screening-Process in D. C. Buildings

This is NOT a Solicitation. This is instead a SOLE-SOURCE Special Notice. The Office of Security (M-40), in the Office of the Secretary in the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT), needs a reliable contractor-company to provide maintenance and service, including all parts and labor, for one Rapiscan Systems Gemini X-ray system, which is used by DOT in the Department’s security-screening process applied to packages being delivered to the DOT Headquarters Building in Washington, D. C. For that purpose, DOT intends to award a contract, on a SOLE-SOURCE basis, to Rapiscan Systems, Inc., of Torrance, California. It is estimated that the Period of Performance for that contemplated contract would run from approximately April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2030. It is estimated that the sole-source contract would have a value of about $10,600 per year.

The contractor chosen by DOT will need to be certified by Rapiscan Systems to work on the Gemini X-ray Inspection systems and have access to their proprietary system information and components in order to properly maintain and service the equipment without damaging or voiding any system or component warranties.

Rapiscan Systems is the manufacturer of GEMINI X-ray Inspection Systems, which are proprietary to Rapiscan Systems because of that company’s patented Rapiscan Systems technologies (Z-backscatter). And because of the existence of the patent, relevant detailed schematics and proprietary system information is provided only to Rapiscan Systems service personnel. And because Rapiscan Systems Gemini X-Ray contain high voltage, personnel who are not properly trained in servicing Rapiscan systems may cause damage to the systems, and may cause personal injury and even death. Furthermore, individuals working on Rapiscan systems who are not properly trained and certified by Rapiscan may void system or component warranties.

Rapiscan is the only company that is able to provide an x-ray inspection system utilizing Z-Backscatter technology. Z-Backscatter is a patented technology based on the X-ray Compton Scattering effect. Z-Backscatter works by detecting and highlighting "low Z" materials (items that contain low atomic number elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen). Low Z materials include explosives, plastic weapons, drugs, alcohol and tobacco. These items appear bright and well defined in Z-Backscatter images, making it easy to identify hidden organic and inorganic materials, and to determine which might be security threats. The high quality and clarity of Z-Backscatter images create photo-like images, allowing for accurate and rapid interpretation unachievable with traditional transmission x-ray images alone. This x-ray inspection system will help reduce operator fatigue while increasing productivity. Rapiscan holds more than 20 patents on Z- Backscatter technology.

After having diligently searched for contractor-companies who are positioned to efficiently and effectively provide such x-ray maintenance and service, DOT has found only one firm: Rapiscan System Inc., which is located at 2805 Columbia Street, Torrance, California 90503. Therefore, DOT intends to award such a contract to Rapiscan Systems, Inc. on a sole-source basis (i.e., without obtaining any competition), unless one or more other firms prove their suitability and capability for providing the needed x-ray maintenance and service by submitting a convincing Statement of Qualifications to DOT in response to this Special Notice. Any such Statement of Qualifications shall be e-mailed to james.mowery@dot.gov and to hank.clyatt@dot.gov and to avi.lopin@dot.gov, so that it reaches at least one of those three e-mail addresses not later than 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time April 25, 2025.