Domestic Nuclear Detection Office

The Department of Homeland Security Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is a civilian sub-agency that acquires detection systems, technology development, and related operational support for nuclear and radiological threat identification and interdiction across the federal government and partner organizations. DNDO sits within DHS and executes both contract procurements and grant funding to support its detection mission.

DNDO has awarded 140 contracts totaling $249.6 million in potential value since 2008, with $212.1 million obligated. Contract activity peaked in 2017 with 34 awards, then moderated to 11 awards in 2019, which remains the most recent recorded award date. Across the portfolio, the agency has engaged 80 distinct prime contractors. The competitive structure is fragmented: no single top-five contractor concentration figure is present in the source data, indicating a distributed contracting footprint typical of technology development and procurement across multiple detection modalities and operational requirements. Contract set-asides are heavily weighted toward open competition, with 69 percent of awards carrying no set-aside designation. Small business set-asides account for 24 percent of awards, while HUBZone, 8(a) sole source, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, and partial small business awards collectively represent 7 percent.

DNDO has also obligated $27.3 million in federal grant dollars across 20 awards to 17 distinct recipients since 2006. Grant activity was concentrated in the 2009–2011 window (10 awards) and has declined substantially; the most recent grant award closed in 2015. Grant funding is distributed across Cooperative Agreements (40 percent of awards), Block Grants (35 percent), and Project Grants (25 percent). The fragmented recipient base reflects the niche scope of nuclear detection research and operational partnerships.

No recent contract opportunities or grant opportunities are currently recorded against DNDO. The agency's contract activity has not generated awards since 2019 and grant activity since 2015, indicating that no active solicitations are presently tracked in the federal opportunity pipeline for this office. Firms pursuing DNDO work should verify current funding availability and solicitation schedules directly with the office.