DHS partnership targets Homeland Security solutions advancement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) said its partnership with Niceville, Florida-based DEFENSEWERX (DWX) would bolster Homeland Security solutions advancement efforts.

DWX is a nonprofit organization focusing on cultivating ecosystems enabling innovative solutions acceleration. The collaboration would enable DHS S&T to leverage DWX’s network of hubs co-located with Department of Defense laboratories nationwide and source ideas exploring and augmenting ongoing S&T activities spanning DHS mission areas.

DHS S&T personnel indicated the Office of Industry Partnerships (OIP) initiated a new partnership intermediary agreement (PIA) with DWX. As a partnership intermediary (PI) – defined as a state or local government or a nonprofit entity owned, funded, chartered or operated in whole or in part by a state or local government – DWX is slated to work closely with DHS S&T to conduct cooperative activities with small businesses and educational institutions.

DWX, which was established in 2012, provides technology transfer, innovation and collaboration, prototyping, and workforce development / STEM outreach services and also serves as a PI for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions Directorate, U.S. Special Operations Command Headquarters, Air University, Army Cyber Command, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and Naval Post Graduate School.