Project Information

Bid Title

Explosive Detection Equipment

Issuing Agency

Port of Bellingham

Location

Washington

Published Date

Nov 18, 2025

Closing Date

Dec 23, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

MESS 25-3

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Number:	MESS 25-3
Bid Title:	Explosive Detection Equipment
Category:	Materials, Equipment, Supplies & Services
Status:	Open

Description: 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. Publication Date/Time: 11/18/2025 5:00 AM Publication Information: Bellingham Herald Closing Date/Time: 12/23/2025 2:00 PM Contact Person: Matthew Rodriquez, Director of Aviation matthewr@portofbellingham.com Related Documents: BLI RFP Explosive Detection Equipment

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

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 334511Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

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