INL/Costa Rica: Mobile Scanners

The U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) operates under program authority derived from the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section (INL) of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, provides assistance to host governments to develop and implement effective counter-narcotics, anti-crime, and border control programs.

The Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) collaborates closely with U.S. law enforcement agencies to ensure Costa Rica has the necessary training and tools to combat illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. INL also partners with various Government of Costa Rica (GOCR) institutions, including:

• Ministry of Public Security


• Public Ministry


• Secretariat of the Presidency


• Ministry of the Treasury and its specialized police units


• Supreme Court of Justice


• Ministry of Health


• Ministry of Education


• General Immigration and Foreigners Directorate (DGME)


• Costa Rican Customs

Project Description

The initiative involves the purchase of two (2) Mobile Scanning Solutions and complementary components, with an option to procure additional units. These units will equip the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security at designated points in Costa Rica, including ports of entry and other areas, to support the Costa Rican Border Police (Policía de Fronteras, CRPF) under the Ministry of Public Security. The goal is to enhance detection capabilities for illicit drugs, trafficked goods, human trafficking, and other forms of smuggling at border checkpoints.

Equipment Requirements

The equipment must meet the following specifications:

• Deployment: Support rapid and efficient deployment in field conditions.


• Operational Modes: Capable of operating in both stationary and mobile scan modes.


• Imaging Technology: Provide photorealistic imaging through both backscatter and transmission technology.


• Weather and Geography: Operable in diverse weather conditions and various geographic locations across Costa Rica.


• Use Case: Suitable for border inspection of vehicles to detect narcotics, contraband, weapons, human trafficking, smuggling, and other illicit activities concealed within vehicles.

Submission Requirements

Offerors must submit the following:

1. Technical Proposal: Include specifications and pictures of the proposed equipment.


2. Pricing Template: Provide detailed pricing information.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology. Evaluation factors include:

• Technical Acceptability: Proposals must meet all technical requirements.


• Past Performance: Offerors’ past performance will be considered.


• Price: While price is a factor, technical acceptability and past performance combined are weighted more heavily than price.

The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. However, evaluation of options does not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).