DHS solicits bids for long-range radiation detectors
$25 million at stake for a lucky company; system must distinguish between naturally occurring radioactive material and medical isotopes; prototype must be compatible with an existing vehicle-sized detector; bids due at the end of January
Investor alert: DHS this week announced its interest in “advanced technology demonstration (ATD) of stand-off radiation detection systems” — in other words, a mobile system that can detect nuclear explosives at long range. The initiative is part of a reinvigorated push that has also prompted DHS to integrate all nuclear-detection research into one organization, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. Among the requirements for interested bidders are:
BULLETS
The ability to detect weak or shielded sources at a distance, and discriminate between naturally occurring radioactive material and medical isotopes
The system must enable rapid search by air, land, and sea by allowing a sensitive survey for radiation sources in a large instantaneous area
Companies must develop at least one prototype system that is compatible with a vehicle-sized radiation detector system
The detector system must be able to operate without a scientifically trained operator. Software algorithms should alert the operator of threat sources within seconds of source detection
The prototype must have the ability wirelessly to communicate the presence of threat and non-threat sources, and provide information of the likely nature of these sources to a reach-back center.
END BULLETS
Total funding available from 2007 through 2009 for this project is about $25 million, and DHS officials may make one or more two-year contract awards.
Companies interested in participating must submit proposals no later than 31 January 2007, and a potential bidders teleconference will take place 16 January 2007.
-read more in John Keller’s Military and Aerospace Electronics report
