The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its list of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) topics for FY20.
DHS SBIR is a contract-awards program meant to increase small business participation in Federal research and development and commercialization of SBIR-funded solutions in the private sector.
“The pre-solicitation allows small businesses to learn about partnering with DHS [Science and Technology] to develop new ideas and technologies that can benefit homeland security end users,” DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology (S&T) William N. Bryan said in a news release. “As the landscape of DHS technology needs changes, we need to tap into the agility and innovation of small businesses to find solutions and invite them to connect with DHS topic managers.”
This pre-solicitation period—which lasts until 5 p.m. EST on Dec. 17—holds opportunity for potential offerors to as questions regarding the topic areas that include nine topics from the DHS S&T Directorate and two from the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office.
The S&T topics include:
- Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) Multimedia Content Analysis Engine Capability for the Emergency Communications Cyber Security Center (EC3);
- Remote Sensor Data Protection and Anti-Spoofing;
- Digital Paging over Public Television;
- Soft Targets and Crowded Places Security;
- In-building Coverage Analysis System (ICAS) Using Existing First Responder’s Radio and Smartphone;
- Handheld Advanced Detection/Imaging Technology System;
- Enhanced Explosives and Illicit Drugs Detection by Targeted Interrogation of Surfaces;
- Urban Canyon Detection Tracking and Identification of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; and
- Machine Learning Module for Detection Technologies.
The CWMD topics include: Innovative Technologies for Next Generation of Sample Collection Media and Development and Evaluation of Nucleic Acid-Based Assays to Accelerate Biohazard Detection.