LRBAA 18-01 Amendment 6 - 08032021.pdf

2018 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement 18-01

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate

Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA) 18-01

AMENDMENT 6

LRBAA 18-01 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION LINKED TITLE

1 LRBAA INTRODUCTION

2 PROCESS OVERVIEW

3 ELIGIBILTY

4 RESEARCH TOPICS

5 PROCESS DETAIL

6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

7 CONTACTS

8 LRBAA ATTACHMENTS

1 LRBAA Introduction

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate announces a modernized Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA) featuring improved communications, transparent needs, submission options, and a faster response to your submissions. The LRBAA’s purpose is to fund scientific and technical projects across a spectrum of science and engineering disciplines that significantly improves or increases a capability to the Department’s operational environment and the Homeland Security Enterprise.

DHS S&T is interested in receiving research concept materials that meet one of the following three types of research areas:

• Type I (New Technologies): Scientific study and experimentation directed towards advancing unique state-of-the-art research, technology development, and demonstration. Emphasis for this type classification is on research and development, with technology demonstration in an operational environment;

• Type II: (Unique Prototype Technologies) Includes the development of prototypes that require a proof of concept, including technology demonstrations in an operational environment; and

• Type III: (Advance State of the Art Technology Improvements) Increases scientific discovery or improvements in technology, materials, processes, methods, devices or techniques. Includes technology demonstration in an operational environment.

LRBAA awards may consist of basic and applied research contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and/or other transactions agreements, to include technology development and demonstration. This LRBAA will NOT pursue the following solutions:

• Technical, engineering, or other types of support services, inclusive of “contracting”- type services;

• Evaluation of another contractor’s performance/program;

• Research consortia, association, partnership or a combination, as of businesses or investors, for the purpose of engaging in a joint research and development venture for a particular purpose;

• Mature products; or

• Development of a specific system or hardware solution.

The DHS S&T LRBAA 18-01 is a five (5) year announcement and will remain open until June 3, 2023, 11:59PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). This announcement may also contain topics with a limited open submission period. Industry Engagement materials are due by June 3, 2023, 11:59PM, EDT or as indicated in this announcement in order to be further considered for an invitation to participate in the LRBAA’s Phase I-Virtual Pitch and Phase II-Written Proposal. Please be advised that the response dates associated with Phase I-Virtual Pitch and Phase II- Written Proposal will be the date specified in the notification letter provided to you and not the LRBAA completion date of June 3, 2023, 11:59PM, EDT, referenced above.

Technical and cost proposal (or any other material) development costs will not be reimbursed.

Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this LRBAA will not be returned. However, depending on the markings on the materials, DHS S&T will adhere to FAR policy on handling source selection and proprietary information. It is the policy of DHS S&T to treat all materials as proprietary information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation. Please note only unclassified Materials may be submitted via the LRBAA website. Classified information must not be transmitted via the LRBAA website.

Awards under the LRBAA will depend on the quality of proposals received and the availability of funds. The Government reserves the right to select all, some, one or none of the invited proposals received, and/or to accept proposals in their entirety or to select only portions of proposals for award. The Government reserves the right to award without exchanges or discussions. Award decisions will result from a scientific and best value determination as further detailed in this announcement. Awards may take the form of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) –based contracts; or grants, cooperative agreements, Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), or interagency agreements to appropriate parties should the situation warrant.

The applicable laws and regulations governing a particular award will depend on the selected award type as referenced in the previous paragraph. DHS S&T will also facilitate access to laboratory and operationally relevant test and evaluation facilities, where reasonably available.

In the event that an Offeror or Offeror’s subcontractor is a Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), Department of Energy National Laboratory, or other federal entity, DHS S&T will work with the appropriate sponsoring agency to issue an interagency agreement pursuant to the Economy Act (31 USC 1531) or other appropriate authority. In many cases, other elements of the U.S. Government are pursuing related technologies. In such cases, S&T will leverage those technology development efforts wherever it is practicable and efficient to do so.

DHS S&T LRBAA Submission Portal Website: https://baa2.st.dhs.gov https://baa2.st.dhs.gov/

2 Process Overview

The LRBAA begins with an Industry Engagement period. During the Industry Engagement period Scientific/Component Subject Matter Experts (SME) and Program Managers (PM) engage with interested sources in order to identify a broad range of qualified sources in the scientific and industrial community. Qualified sources may be invited by a Topic Manager (TM) to participate in the two-phase proposal process consisting of a Phase I-Virtual Pitch and a Phase II-Written Proposal. Submission requirements and details are further outlined in this announcement.

A Phase I-Virtual Pitch proposal will not be accepted from any Source that has not been invited to submit. Offerors that submit to and participate in the Phase I Proposal-Virtual Pitch may be invited by a Topic Manager to participate in the Phase II-Written Proposal. Unique proposals submitted to the Phase I-Virtual Pitch that meet high priority technology requirements but exceed available funding may not be immediately invited to submit a Phase II-Written Proposal. Phase II-Written Proposals will not be accepted from an Offeror that has not been invited to submit.

The below chart maps the DHS S&T LRBAA process from the initial submission to award.

The three primary submission and evaluation processes are indicated in orange and contain hyperlinks to submission, evaluation and administrative details. (Also see Section 5)

Long Range Broad Agency Announcement Process Flow Chart

Submission and Evaluation Timeframes

The following timeframes have been established for the LRBAA submission and evaluation process. Sources and Offerors should allow 2-5 days at the end of each assessment or evaluation period for administrative processing and notification. In some instances, the assessment or evaluation period may be extended due to the availability of subject matter personnel required for the Peer Review Panel. DHS S&T Topic Managers will work closely with sources and offerors to keep them informed of their submission and assessment status.

Process Timeframe Industry Engagement Assessment Response and follow-up by S&T within 10 Days Part I-Virtual Pitch presentation material Must be submitted to the LRBAA Submission

Portal within 14 Days of written notification Part I-Virtual Pitch and Evaluation Scheduled within 21 Days of the presentation material’s due date Part II-Written Proposal Must be submitted to the LRBAA Submission

Portal within 45 days of written notification Part II-Written Proposal Evaluation Completed by S&T within 21 days of the written proposals due date

NOTE: The Government may obtain support from both Federal Subject Matter Experts (SME) and support contractors when completing LRBAA proposal evaluations. Support contractors may be used to provide administrative assistance to federal employees who are involved in the evaluation of full proposals. Administrative assistance would include tracking the proposals through the review process and assigning proposals by system assigned number or proposal title. Support contractors will have limited system access which does not include the capability to read or review proposals. As the activities typically carried out under the LRBAA do not involve advisory and assistance services (A&AS) contractors evaluating or analyzing proposals, the limitation in FAR 37.203(d) will not apply. If the conflict described in FAR 9.505-4 is found to exist, S&T will ensure that the contractors conclude the necessary agreements, which are kept on file, before proprietary information is shared.

3 Eligibility

All responsible sources are eligible to submit Industry Engagement materials under this

LRBAA.

Foreign or foreign-owned sources are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review procedures, applicable export control laws, and other applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to U.S. Government business with foreign entities.

Potential sources may include independent organizations, single entities, or teams from private sector organizations, Government laboratories, airport authorities, FFRDCs, and academic institutions. FFRDCs, including the Department of Energy National Laboratories and Centers, are eligible to respond to this LRBAA individually or as team members with eligible principal sources, as long as they are permitted to respond to such announcements under their applicable sponsoring agreements.

DHS S&T particularly encourages submissions from small businesses. However, no set aside of any kind will be made. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Institutions (MIs), small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran owned small businesses, and HUBZone small businesses are encouraged to participate in the process and to join other entities as team members.

4 Research Topics

Protecting our nation can be complex – from rapidly evolving threats to longer-term efforts that require our attention. To fully understand the needs of our operational components, DHS S&T and Components routinely identify priority needs that require R&D solutions. The current six key mission areas are:

Securing Aviation Protecting from Terrorist Attacks Securing Borders Securing Cyberspace Preventing Terrorism Managing Incidents

These priority needs drive DHS’s R&D investments. DHS S&T and Components look for the following types of solutions:

1. Over the horizon, future innovations that will transform the way homeland security operators accomplish their missions.

2. Near-term capabilities that will solve current operational challenges and meet the Department’s R&D needs.

3. New applications of technologies to respond to emerging threats to the homeland.

For more information about how DHS compiles these needs, visit our website at https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/our-needs and https://www.dhs.gov/publication/working-industry-find-technology-solutions to download our DHS S&T Industry Guide that lays out DHS technology needs and describes S&T’s technical focus areas in further detail.

Learn more about the Department’s research challenge areas, specific to S&T’s LRBAA topics, and how to use the LRBAA to work with S&T by viewing our videos from the LRBAA Today webinar series (https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/lrbaa-today-webinar-series).

(Note: Additional details for each topic listed below can be found on the DHS S&T LRBAA Submission Portal located at https://baa2.st.dhs.gov/) https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/our-needs https://urldefense.us/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.dhs.gov_publication_working-2Dindustry-2Dfind-2Dtechnology-2Dsolutions&d=DwMFaQ&c=2plI3hXH8ww3j2g8pV19QHIf4SmK_I-Eol_p9P0CttE&r=5tcc7_IkV5BOJl_ml2MvC-qjhb_vlG_t_H9EM7Hjf50&m=3GV5BsoAJPAo1sMQL13YMDz0iFFw7oZsnm9ZFUnSN4M&s=hAskarcMaYyI26dKAHbTJFYPFGVhCIuHjFcyyJjTzwE&e= https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/lrbaa-today-webinar-series https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/lrbaa-today-webinar-series https://baa2.st.dhs.gov/

SECURING AVIATION (SEC AVN)

The aviation security environment presents a constant demand to detect evolving threats while moving passengers, baggage, and cargo safely and quickly through checkpoints and promoting a positive passenger experience. The end goal is to provide non-invasive security screening at our nation’s airports while preventing terrorist attacks and ensuring speedy and lawful trade and travel.

Priority R&D needs and topics for securing aviation are:

High-Throughput Cargo Screening (01) No current topics

Cost-effective Electronic Imaging for Bulk Air Cargo (02)

SEC AVN 02-04: X-Ray Screener Tools

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The detection efficacy of X-Ray is highly dependent on operator skill. A proficiency tool for X-Ray operators is needed.

This tool will need to support evaluation of screener performance to ensure no degradation in performance over time (e.g., complacency or vigilance decrement) occurs, and identify areas for screener development. Develop software, that can generate large numbers of images of homogenous and heterogenous cargo with the capability to insert different anomalies with different masses, shapes, densities and in different locations, orientations and concealments.

To evaluate operator performance, develop tools to capture operator responses and connect them to a database describing the images presented to the operators. A user-friendly graphical interface needs to be provided.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

The detection efficacy of X-Ray is highly dependent on operator skill. Tools to (a) improve proficiency of operators and assess their performance and (b) provide assistance to an operator in evaluation of the threats in the images generated by the scanner. These are important capability gaps that TSA has indicated it needs to fill. This topic is aimed at bullet "b".

SEC AVN 02-05: Screening of Dense material in Air Cargo Skids

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Air cargo screening is challenging because of the diversity in the commerce transported and the complexity of the supply chain. Some air cargo is transported on both dedicated cargo aircraft, but a significant amount is also transported on passenger aircraft. Cargo diversity presents screening challenges because systems must be capable of screening a variety of items from organic material such as flowers, fresh or frozen meats, to metal parts or metal drums of liquids.

Skids of cargo may be homogeneous or could contain tens of small parcels or boxes from multiple vendors. Cargo screening is performed by private companies, so cost-effective solutions are essential and software tools to assist the system operators to better detect anomalies in the cargo are important. Submitters must provide their development plan to produce systems which can scan full-size air cargo skids (48” x 48” x 65”) at speeds exceeding 24 skids per hour and which will provide imaging of dense cargo. Proposed scanners must be able to cope with the wide varieties of air cargo as described above.

Proposals for automated explosive threat recognition algorithms to be hosted on these cargo skid scanners are also invited.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 6

END OBJECTIVE:

Air cargo skid screening solutions which are less than $1,00,000.00 (US) in production quantities to screen dense material in air cargo skids measuring 48"W x 65"H x 48” (or longer) deep are needed. The need for high density cargo penetration systems has been identified by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) as a key capability gap. The end objective is an imaging scanner prototype, at a TRL of 6 or higher, that can detect explosives per classified standards concealed in dense cargo.

Passenger Identification and Vetting (03) No current topics

Rapid Detection and Alarming of Explosives (04)

SEC AVN 04-08: Enhanced Contact and Non-Contact Trace Explosives Sampling and Detection

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The primary objective of this LRBAA is to develop enhanced contact and non-contact trace explosives sampling methods and prototypes that are seamlessly integrated with or integration-ready with currently deployed Explosives Trace Detectors (ETDs) and/or Next Generation ETDs. The non-contact sampling methods and prototypes are developed for use in cargo, checked baggage, and or checkpoint screening in aviation security environments.

Currently, contact sampling (by swabbing) in aviation security environments requires divestiture and has limited throughput and detection libraries. Improvements to contact trace sampling has the promise of the ability to detect more threats of interest. Non-contact sampling technologies of both vapor and particulates have the potential to overcome these limitations by:

• Enlarging total surface areas of the objects undergoing screening

• Minimizing operator errors during automatic or semi-automatic sampling processes

• Enhancing passenger experiences

To realize the full potential of contact and non-contact sampling, candidate technologies must address the following challenges:

1) Have high efficiencies in liberating, entraining, and collecting explosive traces in both vapor and particulates

2) Broaden amenability to variable surface types (e.g. plastics, muslin, ballistic nylon, and clothing) yet maintain high collection efficiencies across these surface types

3) Not causing damage to the surfaces undergoing screening

4) Not contaminating the areas surrounding the objects undergoing screening

5) Optimize collection efficiencies for objects with varying shapes and sizes

6) Have provisions for the prototypes to seamlessly integrate with currently deployed ETDs and/or Next Gen ETDs

7) Provide the ability to detect a broader range of threats than currently available by currently deployed ETDs (especially for contact sampling methods)

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 5 TRL AT CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

Enhanced contact and non-contact trace explosives sampling methods and prototypes that are seamlessly integrated with or integration-ready with currently deployed Explosives Trace Detectors (ETDs) and/or Next Generation ETDs. The methods and prototypes are expected to be developed and undergo Developmental Test and Evaluation at a Government laboratory.

Upon successful completion of Developmental Testing and Evaluation (DT&E) phase(s), the method/prototype may be selected for advancement to Integration Test and Evaluation.

Distinguishing Threats from Non-threats on Passengers (05)

SEC AVN 05-02: Screening at Speed

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Screening at Speed seeks to mature transformative technologies that increase aviation security effectiveness from curb-to-gate while dramatically reducing wait times and improving passenger experiences.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 3 TRL at CONCLUSION: 6

END OBJECTIVE:

The end objective is a prototype solution capable of improving the security, throughput, and/or passenger experience at the airport checkpoint or similar environments. Capabilities of particular interest include accessible property (carry-on baggage) screening systems, components, and algorithms; on-person screening systems, components, and algorithms; curb-to-gate screening capabilities and integration architectures; cyber secure architecture and capabilities; and passenger facing technologies to improve the overall user experience.

Efficient and Accurate Detection of Complex Threat Concealment on Passengers and Carried Property (06) No current topics

SECURING BORDERS (SEC BORD)

Our borders are vital economic gateways that account for trillions of dollars in trade and travel each year. Border security presents complex challenges due to geographic locations, modes of transportation, trade and travel volume, and transnational criminal organizations. DHS works to secure our borders through the deployment of personnel, infrastructure, and technology— including sensors, radar, and aerial assets—and investments to modernize the ports of entry.

Priority R&D needs for border security are:

Cross-border Tunnel Detection, Surveillance, and Forensics (01)

SEC BORD 01-01: Noninvasive, Minimally Disruptive Sensors and Systems

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

DHS Science and Technology (S&T) seeks innovative, noninvasive, minimally disruptive sensors and systems that can detect and locate clandestine, unknown subterranean threats, subterranean tunneling activities (tunnels and other objects of interest to law enforcement) within varied geologies of the southwest border. Modalities sought by this announcement will consider both persistent and mobile technologies.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 8

END OBJECTIVE:

The end objective of this effort is to transfer the advancement of tunnel detection technologies to enhance the mission capability of CBP and ICE to disrupt, mitigate, and investigate clandestine criminal subterranean cross-border activity. The solutions must be operationally relevant, measurable, beneficial, and consistent with the documented priorities and needs of the DHS Component customer.

Infrastructure Tunnel Surveillance (02) No current topics

Integrated and Improved Sensors, Systems, and Data (03)

SEC BORD 03-05: Air Based Technologies

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The Air Based Technologies (ABT) program advances manned and unmanned aircraft technology to improve the mission capability of the DHS operational components as well as the extended Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE).

Within the ABT program, there are three focus areas:

1) ISR Sensors

2) Small UAS (sUAS) Technology

3) C4 Operations (Command, Control, Communications, and Computers)

The focus area of ISR Sensors seeks solutions, processes, and means to advance the development and transition of ISR sensor technology applicable for HSE operational scenarios.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type III

TRL SOUGHT: 1-7 TRL at CONCLUSION: 8

END OBJECTIVE:

The end objective of any ABT project is to transfer the advancement of aircraft technology (manned and/or unmanned) to enhance the mission capability of the DHS Operational Components and the extended HSE. The enhancement must be operationally relevant, measurable, beneficial, and consistent with the documented priorities and needs of the mission partner.

SEC BORD 03-06: Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The primary objective of this LRBAA is to develop enhanced technologies and methods that allow for the detection, tracking, identification, and mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems under varied terrains and environmental conditions such as, but not limited to:

• Dense urban environments

• Mass Gatherings (i.e. sporting events)

• Critical Infrastructure (i.e. bridges, power plants, reservoirs)

• Mobile platforms (i.e. moving vehicles, boats, aircraft)

New technologies and enhanced methods should be able to detect, track, identify and mitigate an array of unmanned aircraft threats and flight modalities that include, but are not limited to:

• Remote manual flight control using radio frequency-based transmissions

• Remote flight control using commercial networks (i.e. cellular, satellite)

• Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) supported pre-programmed flights

• Autonomously pre-programmed flights that are unsupported by GNSS

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 or higher TRL at CONCLUSION: 7 or higher

END OBJECTIVE:

The end objective is to transfer the advancement of C-UAS technologies to enhance the mission capability of the DHS Operational Components and the extended Homeland Security Enterprise.

The enhancement must be operationally relevant, measurable, beneficial, and consistent with the documented priorities and needs of the mission partner.

SEC BORD 03-07: Maritime Domain Awareness Technologies

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The Maritime Border Security Program develops and transitions technical capabilities that enhance U.S. maritime border security by safeguarding lawful trade and travel and helps to prevent illegal use of the maritime environment to transport illicit goods or people.

Within the MBSP, DHS Science & Technology (S&T) seeks technologies for the enhancement of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and maritime surveillance capabilities for US ports and coastlines. DHS S&T is seeking new and emerging sensor, system, and data technologies suitable for the full spectrum of maritime operations that will improve vessel detection, tracking, and interdiction capabilities to mitigate threats to American citizens and their coastlines, including drug and human traffic smuggling, piracy, and illegal fishing, and to optimize search and rescue efforts.

These technologies will be tested in areas such as Southern California and the Puget Sound region. The technologies are to be scalable to other geographic regions of the United States.

The end users for these technologies will be the US Coast Guard, CBP, and ICE.

Potential technologies may include but are not limited to: surface or subsurface systems, platforms, sensors, radar, or optics; air or space-based systems and platforms; communications systems; and data analytics systems.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

The Maritime Border Security Program at the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate will develop, and transition cutting edge technology to the Homeland Security Enterprise to safeguard and facilitate lawful trade while disrupting and dismantling transnational and criminal and terrorist organizations.

The capabilities developed through the MDA Pilots research activity will provide its DHS component customers with new maritime surveillance capabilities enhancing cross stakeholder information sharing. Once technologies are transitioned, DHS will have enhanced, unique maritime surveillance capabilities that can be applied on a broader scale.

Actionable Intelligence Gathering and Sharing (04)

Dark Aircraft and Vessel Detection, Tracking, and Interdiction (05) No current topics

Expedited People Screening (06)

SEC BORD 06-01: Biometric Technologies for Extending, Augmenting, or Improving DHS Identity and Verification Capabilities

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Biometric devices deployed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have a limited operational life and must be replaced at regular intervals. As DHS carries out this process, the Department seeks to leverage improvements in biometric technology to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness.

In order to meet the challenges of evolving security threats, rising air travel volumes, resource constraints, and limits on operational footprint, DHS requires the capability to improve the accuracy and scalability of identity verification operations by automating manual and paper-based identity verification processes through smart technology investments.

As Components continue to leverage biometrics to an unprecedented level, DHS must remain in the forefront as a biometric identity services provider. DHS must implement or influence a range of biometric identity service research and development projects to discover and evaluate new technologies, then support Components' adoption of those new technologies.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type III

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

These efforts will establish and leverage innovative and robust science-based capabilities to provide the DHS and federal partners with data and knowledge products which inform requirements and acquisition decisions. Impacts include (1) realizing economies of scale in acquisition planning, (2) enabling enhanced interoperability across mission sets, (3) improving and streamlining DHS Components' source selections to definitively determine best-value solutions for any mission.

These efforts will inform DHS entities about the availability and base capabilities of current and new biometric acquisition and/or recognition system performance; to collaborate with industry to shape the direction of biometric system development, and; to support ad-hoc requests concerning existing and emerging DHS biometric use cases.

Maritime Surveillance and Communications in Remote Environments (07)

SECURING CYBERSPACE (SEC CYB)

DHS has identified strengthening the security and resilience of cyberspace as a priority in its Quadrennial Homeland Security Review efforts. Priority areas for safeguarding and securing cyberspace are:

• Strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure

• Secure the federal civilian government information technology enterprise

• Advance law enforcement, incident response and reporting capabilities

• Strengthen the ecosystem:

o Drive innovative and cost-effective security products, services and solutions throughout the cyber ecosystem o Conduct and transition research and development, enabling trustworthy cyber infrastructure o Develop skilled cybersecurity professionals o Enhance public awareness and promote cybersecurity best practices o Advance international engagement to promote capacity building, international standards and cooperation

DHS S&T identifies, develops and delivers new cybersecurity technologies, tools, techniques, and next-generation capabilities that enable DHS and the nation to defend and secure current and future critical systems and networks against cyberattacks. We leverage public-private partnerships to identify real-world requirements for innovative technology solutions, which are developed with the partners and transitioned into the marketplace. Some examples of priority cybersecurity R&D needs include:

• Distributed cloud-based communications and monitoring

• Industrial control systems, cyber sensors, analytics, and prevention

• Metrics for cybersecurity effectiveness, severity, and comparison

• Data capture of networked devices for forensic examination Website:

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/cybersecurity-programs

Distributed Cloud-based Communications and Monitoring – Associated/Related Efforts (01) No current topics

Human Aspects of Cybersecurity-Associated/Related Efforts (02) No current topics

Network and Systems Security-Associated/Related Efforts (03)

SEC CYB 03-01: Distributed Denial of Service Defense (DDoSD)

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Distributed Denial of Service Defense and Telephony Denial of Service Defense (DDoSD/TDoSD) – Denial of service attacks are pervasive and have the potential to disrupt https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/cybersecurity-programs critical network infrastructure. Proposals that identify, provide situational awareness for, mitigate, provide recovery techniques, or protection for networks such as the Internet, enterprise networks, emergency communications [e.g. Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911)], or other critical infrastructure networks are of interest. Situational Awareness, identification of, mitigation, recovery, and protection for communication channels such as voice, text, video, or other communication that may be received by NG911 are also of interest.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 or higher TRL at CONCLUSION: 8-9

END OBJECTIVE:

The end goal is mitigation of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks or protection for relevant networks and communication channels from Denial of Service attacks.

Efforts that provide tools and/or techniques for situational awareness and identify Denial of Service (DoS) attacks on relevant networks and communications channels, including differentiating between DDoS and other disruptions on relevant networks are of interest. These disruptions may occur at various layers of the network.

Efforts that provide mitigation techniques/tools, recovery techniques/tools, or protection to relevant networks and communication channels are also of interest. These efforts may leverage existing policies and practices or adopt existing technologies for near term protection. Novel approaches for understanding and mitigating new forms of DDoS against relevant networks and communication channels are encouraged.

SEC CYB 03-04: Predictive Analytics

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Predictive Analysis, as applied to cybersecurity, is the ability to identify potential cyber threat vectors and determine the probable course of action for each threat.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 or higher TRL at CONCLUSION: 8-9

END OBJECTIVE:

Predictive Analysis, as applied to cybersecurity, is the ability to identify potential cyber threat vectors and determine the probable course of action for each threat. These findings should be presented automatically, with human-in-the-loop if desired, but not required. Presentation should be in an easily understandable format, to allow resource management to address threats as they evolve. Predictive Analysis may be applied at any phase or stage, from fully protected to compromise and recovery. All types from fully protected to compromise and recovery. All types of cyber threats may be considered.

Mobile Security-Associated/Related Efforts (04)

SEC CYB 04-02: Mobile Security & Resiliency R&D

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The research and development of creating or enhancing technologies to enable the secure and/or resilient use of mobile ecosystem technologies in support of the DHS mission. Areas of interest include: 5G, mobile supply chain, security analysis, mobile infrastructure resilience, emergency communications, mobile vulnerability analysis, mobile communication security protocol analysis, and security.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 3 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

The development of technologies that secure and add resilience to the mobile ecosystem that support DHS use cases.

Critical Infrastructure – Associated/Related Efforts (05) (Including Industrial Control Systems, Cyber Sensors, Analytics, and Prevention) No current topics

Software Assurance– Associated/Related Efforts (06)

SEC CYB 06-01: Software Assurance

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The research and development of tools and techniques to reduce vulnerabilities in software and to improve how security is addressed in the process of developing and vetting software applications.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type III

TRL SOUGHT: 6 or higher TRL at CONCLUSION: 9

END OBJECTIVE:

Develop or provide software assurance tools, including making combinations of tools easier to use and to understand the results of such tools. This may be provided as a cloud service or as a stand-alone product. Both static and dynamic analysis tools or access to tools are desired.

Code coverage metrics should be provided for any tools proposed or supported.

Additional desired activities include improving the software assurance ecosystem in novel or unique ways. This allows for a broad spectrum of activities, limited only by the creativity of the proposer.

Cyber Security Outreach – Associated/Related Efforts (07) No current topics

Cybersecurity for Law Enforcement-Associated/Related Efforts (08) (Including Data Capture of Networked Devices for Forensic Examination) No current topics

Cyber Enabled Networked Physical Systems Security (09)

PREVENTING TERRORISM (PREV)

A hallmark of homeland security, the prevention of terrorist attacks runs through the mission of every component within DHS. Terrorist tactics continue to evolve and the threat of terrorism has become increasingly difficult to detect.

Priority R&D needs and topics in preventing terrorism are:

Organic Explosive Compound and Homemade Explosives Detection (01)

PREV 01-02: Detection Canine Technologies

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Detection Canine's development interests are focused on three areas:

1. Canine R&D Structure and Function - understanding of canine behavior, genetics, olfaction, and cognition to improve operational efficiencies and training methods.

2. Development and Testing of Canine Training Aids - targeting the creation of low cost, non-hazardous emerging threat and conventional explosive training aids, with state-of-the-art laboratory technology for odor validation to the level of canine detection and odor generalization analysis studies to reduce requisite numbers of trained odors.

3. Independent Operational Test and Evaluation - technologies and methodologies that advance detection canine performance in controlled and operational environments representative of the Homeland Security Enterprise at the federal, state, and local level, that facilitate scientifically significant data capture through independent operational test and evaluation.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

S&T goals are to provide our customer base - TSA and the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) - with the tools, techniques, and knowledge to better understand, train, and utilize the detection canine and improve proficiency of the DHS/HSE detection canine teams.

Additionally, S&T is focused on providing an enduring research and development capability to the Homeland Security Enterprise with a unique focal point and knowledge base for detection canines by establishing a scientifically rigorous, statistically significant approach for the detection canine community that is currently absent in the industry.

Improvised Explosive Device-related Anomaly Detection (02)

Automated Machine Learning (03)

Prevention (04)

PREV 04-02: Vehicle Ramming Mitigation Technology

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Terrorists and other violent extremists have demonstrated an interest in leveraging simple and less sophisticated methods to inflict harm and disrupt infrastructure operations. As highlighted by incidents both domestically and abroad, vehicle ramming has become a common attack vector that is difficult to prevent given there are few to no identifiable indicators.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 2 TRL at CONCLUSION: 5

END OBJECTIVE:

This project aims to develop a capability that can be commercialized to enhance security against the vehicle ramming threat, with particular emphasis on special events.

PREV 04-03: Threat Prevention

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The ability to prevent public safety threats and malign actors through the application of social science methods can include:

1. Research and development to improve the detection, analysis, understanding, and mitigation of the threats posed by terrorism and targeted violence, human trafficking, child exploitation and online disinformation;

2. Knowledge, tools and technologies to determine when individuals, groups, and movements are likely to engage in violence or illegal activity; and

3. What ideological, organizational, and contextual factors may influence acts of violence, illegal activity, the spread of online disinformation, and target selection.

4. How to build community resilience to public safety threats.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 4-7 TRL at CONCLUSION: 8-9

END OBJECTIVE:

DHS S&T seeks to ensure rigorous, high quality data to understand the nature of threats in the United States; provide independent, objective assessment of activities to ensure that DHS can continually improve and understand the outcomes, impacts, and unintended consequences of investments in threat prevention; and, ensure the most up-to-date scientific information from around the world is readily available to DHS and DHS enterprise decision-makers for science-informed policy and practice.

Advanced Analytics (05)

PROTECTING FROM TERRORIST ATTACKS

(PROT)

Protecting the American people from terrorist threats and attacks is the reason DHS was created and remains our highest priority. Terrorists seek sophisticated means of attack, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) weapons, and cyber-attacks. Biological threat security, in particular, focuses around the prevention of release as well as detection of and protection against biological threats and hazards known to pose particularly high risk to the nation.

Priority R&D needs and topics are:

Personal Protective Equipment for all CBRNE Hazards (01) No current topics

Modeling and Predictive Analytics for Decision Making (02)

PROT 02-01: Data Analytics

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Data Analytics research pursues advanced and emerging architectures, analytic capabilities, and automation to enable data-driven decision making to improve mission outcomes. Data analytics crosscuts all DHS mission areas.

Future Computing Architectures includes research and evaluation of storage and infrastructure that aims to enable real-time, efficient compute with built-in privacy and security. Examples of research in this area include Secure Multi-party Computation; Cloud, Intercloud, and Hybrid Cloud Computation; Real-time Analytics; Block-chain; and High-Performance Computing.

Media and Augmented Analytics leverages government, commercial, and publicly available data sets, including social media, in a variety of formats and languages. This area includes Text, Speech, Image, and Video Analytics; Graph Approaches; and Advanced Data Automation and Analytic tools.

Emerging Concepts and Capabilities explores novel approaches and research that has yet to mature to realize solutions. Examples of topics include Human-Machine Teaming, Data Autonomy, Misinformation/Disinformation, and others.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 3 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

Solutions will help operators better leverage data via advanced data analytic capabilities to drive better decision-making in DHS missions.

Note: TRL levels stated are a range. We are interested in technologies within this range.

Disease and Biological Threat Detection, Identification, and Classification in Field Operational Environments (03)

PROT 03-02: Prevention, Diagnosis and Mitigation of Transboundary Agricultural Pests and Diseases

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Research, develop and apply appropriate, innovative tools, technology, techniques, and approaches to protect, prevent, control, and mitigate current and emerging high consequence pests and diseases that threaten the economy and security of the US food, agriculture and veterinary enterprise across the food chain. Provide conceptual design and working prototypes, implement strategies and measures for addressing animal and plant pests and diseases at local, regional and national scales. Propose flexible and agnostic approaches to address agricultural biodefense challenges. Project candidates are strongly recommended to have industry involvement, and meet appropriate food, agriculture and veterinary federal requirements.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 3-5 TRL at CONCLUSION: 6-7

END OBJECTIVE:

Enable agriculture defense against current, emerging and future unknown pathogens and pests.

Develop tools and technologies to enable preparedness and response to dissemination and spread of veterinary and zoonotic pathogens and pests by environmental pathways, animals and humans.

Expand countermeasure discovery and development for preventing new and emerging animal and plant pests and infectious diseases.

Develop and deploy user-friendly cutting-edge tools, techniques, and technologies for rapid detection and diagnosis, management, mitigation, prevention, and containment of high consequence food and agricultural pathogens and pests at local, regional and national scales.

Biological Attack Verification (04)

MANAGING INCIDENTS (MGMT)

Incident Management encompasses emergency response and critical infrastructure security and resilience, to include the preparedness, response, and recovery needs of more than 70,000 state, local, tribal, and federal agencies and 16 critical infrastructure sectors.

Priority R&D needs and topics in support of incident management needs are centered on the following priorities:

Situational Awareness (01)

MGMT 01-02: Technology Acceptance

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Understanding the way in which individual and organizational factors influence technology adoption is critical for determining how to avoid organizational barriers to technology transition and implementation.

1. Enhance understanding of workforce acceptance of new technology

2. Enhance understanding of public perceptions of new technology

3. Develop strategic communications plans for the implementation and dissemination of new technology

4. Support operational experiments and exercises to improve technology adoption

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 4-7 TRL at CONCLUSION: 8-9

END OBJECTIVE:

DHS S&T seeks to improve adoption of new technologies to improve national security. Because the selection and adoption of new technologies often requires a substantial investment of organizational time and resources, ensuring that the technology can be successfully embedded within the organization’s structure and culture and used efficiently and effectively by employees remains an important priority. This research will increase the understanding of how organizations operate and interact both internally and with constituents that leads to transition a technology into the organizational context.

Communications (02)

MGMT 02-05: Low-cost tactical communication devices for information sharing in remote environments (Border Security Technology Solution)

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Low-cost tactical communication devices that interface with modern smartphones to enable secure sharing of position location information (PLI) and text messages in remote environments for increased situational awareness.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type III

TRL SOUGHT: 6-9 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7-9

END OBJECTIVE:

By providing a low-cost device that interfaces wirelessly with modern smartphones, low bandwidth data including position location information (PLI), text messages and other customer-provided payloads can be transmitted and received by DHS users in remote environments that do not have commercial infrastructure like cell towers. This effort will enable tactical air, land, and maritime information sharing to provide agent safety and increase agent situational awareness.

MGMT 02-08: GMD and Nuclear EMP Critical Infrastructure Risk

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Extreme electromagnetic incidents caused by an intentional electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack or a naturally occurring geomagnetic disturbance (GMD, also referred to as “space weather”) could damage significant portions of the Nation’s critical infrastructure. Although EMP can be generated by several means, high-altitude electromagnetic pulse attacks (HEMP) using nuclear weapons are of most concern because they may permanently damage or disable large sections of the national electric grid and other critical infrastructure control system.

Similarly, extreme geomagnetic disturbances associated with solar coronal mass ejections (when plasma from the sun, with an embedded magnetic field, arrives at Earth) may cause widespread and long-lasting damage to electric power systems, satellites, electronic navigation systems, and undersea cables. The systems at risk may be directly impacted or affected by damage to the communications and control upon which they are dependent.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 2 TRL AT CONCLUSION: 5

END OBJECTIVE:

Any or all of the following:

• Threat and Hazard Modeling–Severe geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) and nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) are large-scale, high-impact, low-frequency (HILF) events where we have limited historical data and experience.

The lack of experience creates a heavy reliance on models and simulations of these events to guide the protection of critical infrastructure (CI) and to estimate post-event responses for recovery and restoration.

• Mapping of National Critical Functions to Critical Infrastructure Networks– National Critical Functions (NCF) provide a high-level definition of functions that need to be sustained to avoid serious disruption to national security and safety and economic activity.

• Identification of Key Critical Infrastructure Assets and Vulnerability Assessments–The CI networks that support the NCFs are composed of many subsystems, devices and components.

• Prediction of Critical Infrastructure Network Performance Under Extreme Conditions–The CI networks that support the NCFs often exhibit complex behavior governed by physics, control systems, and human operator intervention.

• Design of Critical Infrastructure Network Vulnerability Mitigations to Ensure NCF Performance—Resources for hardening or sparing CI network subsystems, devices and components are often limited, and the effect of these mitigations on the CI network, especially as it pertains to NCF PEMP, are often not straightforward due to complex network behavior.

• Modeling and simulation incorporating the coupling effects of EMP/GMD events (E1, E2 and E3) to key critical infrastructure subcomponents, components, and systems, to determine impacts to these systems and inform potential vulnerabilities as well as mitigations

• Assessment of the vulnerability of key and/or commonly used critical infrastructure subcomponents, components, systems to EMP/GMD through testing of those elements

• Evaluation of mitigation techniques or technologies to reduce the impact of EMP/GMD events on key and/or commonly use critical infrastructure subcomponents, components, or systems (through modeling & simulation and/or testing)

Command, Control, Communications (03)

Training and Exercises (04) No current topics

Responder Health, Safety, Performance (05) No current topics

Logistics and Resource Management (06) No current topics

Casualty Management (07)

Risk Assessment and Planning (08)

MGMT 08-03: Advanced Computing Technologies

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The Advanced Computing Technology Centers invest in cross-cutting research, innovative solutions, and emerging technologies that enable data and information driven homeland security missions.