As encouragement for proof-of-concept research into homeland security technology, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) divided up $4.479 million in competitive research contracts to 30 small businesses.
This first phase of the DHS Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program included the following topics:
- Automated artificial intelligence (AI) distress alerts and monitoring
- Rapidly deployable countermeasures at protected perimeters and structures
- Non-invasive and real-time detection of counterfeit microelectronics
- Broadband push-to-talk interoperability platform
- A step toward agent agnostic detection of biological hazards
- Streamlined airport checkpoint screening for limited mobility passengers
- Mass fatality tracking system (MFTS)
- Next generation high-performance, low-cost, semiconductor-based spectroscopic personal radiation detectors
- Field forward detection platform for high consequence toxins
- Person-worn detector for aerosolized chemical threats
- Low-cost detection/diagnostics for high-consequence transboundary or nationally reportable animal diseases, particularly those with zoonotic tendency
“Small businesses continue to be a source of ingenuity and an agile tool for DHS to develop innovative technologies that have a lasting impact for our components, end-users, and society at large,” Kathryn Coulter Mitchell, DHS S&T senior official performing the duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, said. “I congratulate these 30 small businesses as they begin their journey with the SBIR program and work to provide solutions for homeland security challenges.”
Each awarded company – from the Eduworks Corporation of Oregon to Luna Labs USA, LLC of Virginia – will receive up to $150,000 from the DHS SBIR program. With that funding, they will undertake proof-of-concept research for five months. After that, they will be able to submit proposals for a phase II award to help them develop and demonstrate a working prototype.