LRBAA 18-01 Amendment 7 - 01072022 (002).pdf

2018 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement 18-01 Amendment 7

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and

Technology (S&T) Directorate

Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA) 18-01

AMENDMENT 7

LRBAA 18-01 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION LINKED TITLE

1 LRBAA INTRODUCTION

2 PROCESS OVERVIEW

3 ELIGIBILTY

4 RESEARCH TOPICS

5 PROCESS DETAIL

6 OTHER INFORMATION

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

• 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

• 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. As of September 30, 2021, Industry Engagement materials are to be submitted via the new DHS S&T Office of Industry Partnerships (OIP) portal and 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. Classified information must not be transmitted.

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 OIP portal: https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public

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) evaluate submissions to the DHS S&T OIP portal from interested sources in the scientific and industrial community in order to identify a broad range of qualified offerors. Qualified offerors 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 Offeror 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. 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 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 DHS S&T OIP 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 DHS S&T OIP 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 OIP portal located at https://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public) 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://baa.dhs.gov/baa/public

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) No current topics

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:

Explosive threats are a major concern in aviation and checkpoint security across the Homeland Security Enterprise. Explosives Trace Detectors (known as ETDs) are deployed as a secondary screening method for explosives detection by multiple DHS components such as the TSA, USSS, CBP, and the USCG, as well as independent air cargo screening facilities. ETDs detect traces or residues of explosives let on surfaces such as a hand or a piece of luggage. The wide variety of operational environments of DHS components is challenging and must be taken into consideration when developing new explosives trace detection equipment. New and improved trace explosives detection capabilities are needed due to the increasing variety of explosive threats such as homemade explosives and tactics used to evade detection.

In this topic, DHS S&T seeks to mature Next Generation ETDs (NGETD) from TRL 7 to TRL 8, which means S&T seeks to have maturation only, not early research and development (R&D). The primary objective of this technical area is to develop advanced desktop ETDs suitable for cargo, baggage, or personnel screening at security checkpoints and in air transport environments. The maturation of NGETD must fulfill the following point:

• The detection algorithm must be developed in concurrence or in parallel with maturing the NGETD hardware. Ideally, the combined hardware and software and detection algorithm must be part of the submittal in the data package.

• Meet an expanded library requirement to be communicated by the government

• Should have the capability of sampling, detecting, and identifying trace signatures from military, commercial, and homemade explosives, as well as precursors of homemade explosives

• Not incorporate any components which require oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Technologies for trace analysis of other chemical compounds such as environmental contaminants, forensic signatures, chemical weapons, and narcotics may be of interest if they can analyze a broad spectrum of explosive threats and their precursors. For the advanced explosives trace detectors that address the expanded libraries requirement, technologies under consideration include, but are not limited to, ion mobility spectrometers, mass spectrometers, and systems with multiple analyzers, filters, and/or separation technologies.

To achieve the desired specificity, a resolving power beyond single atomic mass unit (amu) may be required for detection of a minimum of 30 target analytes selected from a broad range of explosives formulations, including commercial and military explosives, homemade explosives, fuel/oxidizer mixtures, inorganic salts, and precursor compounds. Furthermore, a list of additional materials to be included in the algorithm is required. These additional materials may consist of benign substances and masking agents common to homeland security screening environments for which the system will not generate an alarm and narcotics for which the system would generate an alarm.

This technical area also includes interest for efficient QA practices including associated consumable materials at the lowest cost, which would allow for field validation of the system to detect threat list materials at the LOD. TSA is interested in how potential offerors would propose to address QA in the event of follow-on acquisition of Desktop NGETD Systems.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 7 TRL AT CONCLUSION: 8

END OBJECTIVE:

DHS S&T seeks to mature ETD capabilities to address TSA capability gaps in the detection, disruption, and mitigation of threats on passengers and in carry-on baggage, as well as other DHS component needs for advanced access control point credential authentication systems providing trace explosives detection.

NG-ETD Specifications

• Meet the TSA Explosives Trace Detection Performance Requirement 6.2 or greater

• At a minimum, shall specifically identify the explosive substances detected.

• Shall not exceed the following dimensions: 22 inches (558.8 millimeters (mm))

(length); 24 inches (609.6 mm) (height); and 22 inches (558.8 mm) (width).

• Weigh no more than 100 pounds (45.36 kilograms (kg)).

• Demonstrate an Ai threshold of at least 97.4 percent. Ai = (MTBCF/(MTBCF x

MTTR)) x 100

• Designed to have a Critical Failure (CF) Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) of not more than five (5) hours. MTTR = Corrective Maintenance Time/Number of Failures

• Designed to meet a minimum of 192 hours Mean Time Before Critical Failure

(MTBCF) in its operational environment, excluding user error. MTBCF = System Operating Time/ Number of Critical Failures.

End Objectives

• Library: Detect and identify at least thirty (30) threat-related compounds, simultaneously, without compromising false alarm rate

• Throughput: 75% reduction in total time for analysis (machine processing plus analysis time)

• False Alarm Rate: 90% reduction

• Detection Rate: For each individual threat, 50% reduction in false negatives

SEC AVN 04-09: Checked Baggage

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

S&T seeks development of ways of augmenting current CT based Explosives Detection Systems (EDS) screening systems. Technology may be designed either to work independently of the EDS system or in conjunction with it. The objectives of this research will be (1) to lower the number of false alarms requiring on-screen on in-person resolution by a Transportation Security Officer (TSO), and (2) to provide further material identification and discrimination to TSOs to assist with revolving alarms not cleared by the technology. S&T's interest includes, but is not limited to, sensing methods orthogonal to current EDS technology and improved algorithmic techniques including Machine Learning.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL AT CONCLUSION: 6

END OBJECTIVE:

The end objective is a prototype solution capable of improving the security, throughput, and/or TSO deployments at airports of all sizes and capabilities. Capabilities of particular interest include trace explosive detection systems, components, and algorithms; non-trace explosive detection systems, components, and algorithms; false alarm resolution systems, components, and algorithms; and officer facing technologies to improve the user experience.

SEC AVN 04-10: Explosive and Ballistic Threat Mitigation for Commercial Aircraft, Aviation and Non-Aviation Applications

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

To survey, research, design, develop, test, evaluate or demonstrate blast and ballistic mitigation technology and methods for commercial aircraft, aviation and non-aviation assets and personnel/passengers using advanced composite materials, designs of materials and structures, fabrication of materials and structures, live fire explosive and ballistic testing and blast and ballistic responses modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities. These blast and ballistic mitigation technologies can be used to reduce explosive and ballistic vulnerability to compliment the explosive and weapon detection capabilities and protect commercial aircraft, aviation and non-aviation assets and personnel/passengers against terrorist threats.

The purpose of this topic in blast and ballistic protection for commercial aircraft, aviation, and non-aviation applications is to advance related technologies to evaluate and develop high mass-efficient composite and/or metallic materials and structures with high capacity of blast and ballistic resistance using material and structure modeling, dynamic design simulation, novel fabrication technology and live fire testing.

Subtopics:

a) Modeling and Simulation Tools Development of novel modeling and simulation approach would provide an effective tool for providing a detailed understanding of damage progression in the complicated composite materials and structures during close-in blast events. With thorough validation studies, the developed analysis technique will significantly improve the efficiency of calculations to assess the vulnerability of commercial aircraft, aviation, and non-aviation structures subjected to near field blast and ballistic loading and will play a critical role in aviation safety and security evaluation.

b) Material and Structure Design The developed novel modeling and simulation tools may be used to design advance material and structural systems with improved blast and ballistic resistance capacity. The ability to model the material behaviors and predict the resultant performance will reduce the number of test trials required to design and manufacture effective blast and ballistic protection structures for commercial aircraft, aviation, and non-aviation applications.

c) Novel Fabrication Technologies It may be required to advance the existing fabrication technologies to produce the newly designed novel material systems and structural components. Sample panels and components will be tested to validate the designed properties and blast and ballistic protection capacity. The ability to produce net-shape configurations close to the final designed geometry will minimize the machining process with enhance properties.

d) Live Fire Testing All the blast and ballistic protection materials and structures fabricated at various stages during the development process will be tested by collaborating with DHS S&T. A series of live fire testing will be conducted to validate the design concept to meet the blast and ballistic resistance performance requirements.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I, Type II, Type III

TRL SOUGHT: 3 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

These blast and ballistic mitigation technologies will be used by customers and end users (such as, TSA/Office of Requirements and Capabilities Analysis, US Secret Services, etc.) to reduce explosive and ballistic vulnerability to compliment the explosive and weapon detection capabilities and protect commercial aircraft, aviation and non-aviation assets and personnel/passengers against terrorist threats.

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) SEC AVN 06-05: Small Bulk Confirmatory Capabilities Through Barriers

TOPIC DESCRIPTION:

Explosive threats are a major concern in aviation security and across Homeland Security Enterprise. Explosives Trace Detectors (known as ETDs) are deployed as a secondary screening method for explosives detection by multiple DHS components such as the TSA, USSS, CBP, and the USCG as well as independent cargo screening facilities. ETDs detect traces or residues of explosives left on surfaces such as a hand or a piece of luggage. The wide variety of operational environments of DHS components is challenging and must be taken into consideration when developing new explosives trace detection equipment. New and improved trace explosives detection capabilities are needed due to the increasing variety of explosive threats such as homemade explosives and tactics used to evade detection.

DHS S&T seeks to detect and identify small bulk confirmatory capabilities through barriers, which can include optical; mass spec; and any relevant technologies. DHS S&T is investigating methods to detect and identify hazardous materials that are contained or obscured by a non-metallic barrier (i.e. vials/bottles/packages) at airports, mail facilities or checkpoint screening areas.

The barriers identified thus far by DHS S&T fit into 4 categories:

1) Optically Clear/ Transparent

2) Translucent/ Frosted/ Colored

3) Opaque or Complex

4) Metal and Ceramic

Ultimately, the goal of this capability is to be able to detect explosives through bottles, which may be fit into any of the above categories. The CONOP (Concept of Operations) Requirements include being able to detect the explosive without opening the bottle (example: if the operator takes the suspected package and inserts it into a temporary observation location for detection).

The detection cycle or "through-put" would preferably be less than 30 seconds, but ideally performed in under 10 seconds. Note: The explosive amount in the bottle is measured with a range of grams to hundred-gram quantities.

Due to the challenges associated with the variety of barriers, DHS S&T would accept a tier-solution approach to fulfill the end-objective. If feasible, orthogonal technologies would also be considered an end goal.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

DHS S&T seeks to advance materiel and non-materiel capabilities to accurately identify, analyze, verify and resolve alarms within the TSA security ecosystem.

End Objectives:

• Enhanced Confirmatory AR TSE

• Scan/ Screen/ Identify explosives in opaque/semi-translucent/ colored/ various materials of containers

• Increase # benign materials resolved w/o AAR

• Increase # explosive/CBRN threats detected

• Advance detection organic & inorganic threats

• Improve AR SOPs and Training on Technology

• Reduce need for TSS-E Reachback

• Reduce # of TSE required for AR decision

• Common GUI across fielded AR TSE

• Alarm/System Data Share

• Capability to Conduct Data Mining & Machine Learning (Spectral information obtained during R&D can be used for follow on Machine Learning efforts)

The end objectives involve 3 key steps:

1) Obtain spectral information; analyze; identify and confirm a broad range of explosive material through barriers

2) Determine if the individual and/or property can be cleared and allowed into the sterile area, or denied entry

3) Communicate with TSA Enterprise Architecture and facilitate interoperability between primary and secondary TSE

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)

• Remote desert and mountainous terrain

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), particularly

5G

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

• Autonomously pre-programmed flights that are unsupported by GNSS

• UAS not emitting or receiving RF signals (operating autonomously via alternative navigation)

• Detect, Track and ID of multiple, simultaneous UAS with selective mitigation and low or no collateral effects

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type II, Type III

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

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) No current topics

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

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) No current topics

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.

• Revisiting and further evaluating explosives detection canine generalization capability. This includes focusing on three areas: (1) "canine factors," (2) "contaminated" explosives vs "clean" training aids, (3) and the number of training aids required for ideal generalization.1

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.

(1) The canine factors area is similar to human factors in which the time between training aid exposures, number of blanks, impact on performance of hits in training scenarios versus operational scenarios, and target density are evaluated.

(2) Evaluation of contaminated explosives versus clean training aids focuses on the crux of canine generalization, is there a point (or range) at which the canine no longer detects the explosive due to contamination. Unlike traditional definition, in this sense, contamination is any compound (wrappings, fuels, shrapnel,etc) that imparts an odor on the bomb.

(3) The last area is an optimization of the number of training aids with a similar base explosive required for the canine to generalize to potential finds in operations. Historical generalization work has shown that training on a single compound is insufficient for proper generalization, but research into determining the ideal number of training aids for generalization has not been completed.

TOPIC RESEARCH SOUGHT: Type I

TRL SOUGHT: 4 TRL at CONCLUSION: 7

END OBJECTIVE:

The goal of this effort it to provide greater insight to detection canine's capabilities through sound scientific evaluation of training and deployment. By conducting research in the above areas, optimizations in training can be discovered and employed to augment DHS components detection canine programs for improved detection efficiency and effectiveness.

• The goal of canine factors is to produce scientifically validated guidance to improve the detection canine capability.

• The goal of the contaminated versus clean area is to determine if there is a point or range in which the detection canine will no longer detect the explosive having only been exposed to their training aid inventory. Once this point or range is known, a follow-on would be to determine how to mitigate this point.

• The goal of the optimization of the number of training aids for generalization is to provide guidance on the minimum number of different forms of the same base explosive to have a canine that can detect any range of explosives they would be exposed to in an operational setting.

The canine factors area is similar to human factors in which the time between training aid exposures, number of blanks, impact on performance of hits in training scenarios versus operational scenarios, and target density are evaluated. Evaluation of contaminated explosives versus clean training aids focuses on the crux of canine generalization, is there a point (or range) at which the canine no longer detects the explosive due to contamination. Unlike traditional definition, in this sense, contamination is any compound (wrappings, fuels, shrapnel,etc) that imparts an odor on the bomb. The last area is an optimization of the number of training aids with a similar base explosive required for the canine to generalize to potential finds in operations.

Historical generalization work has shown that training on a single compound is insufficient for proper generalization, but research into determining the ideal number of training aids for generalization has not been completed.

Improvised Explosive Device-related Anomaly Detection (02) No current topics

Automated Machine Learning (03)

Prevention (04) 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

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) No current topics

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.