Topics

DHS has a need to detect the burst release of 1 gram of a hazardous biological or chemical agent within an indoor environment rapidly enough to initiate protective actions (see Figure 2 for an example). Near the point of release, there will be a transient peak of a high concentration of the material, which will be distributed into an equilibrium concentration throughout the building, typically within about an hour depending on airflows. The proposed system architecture and sensor density will dictate what concentration levels will be experienced at each sensor node. Appendix D provides a notional example of the particle concentration distribution of a biological aerosol within a large office building space. The system can integrate and fuse information gathered from both installed building operated systems as well as systems carried by citizens within the building. The system false alarm rate, defined as the initiation of high impact decisions such as contacting HazMat and/or evacuating the facility, must be less than once per 20 years. The proposed commercial application may demand more stringent requirement for the sensitivity of the overall system than the 1 gram burst release, in which case the proposed system will be tested to those requirements. For purposes of providing metrics and system-level component discussions, indoor detection scenarios should consider involving a large convention center, mid-rise office building, mass transit center, airport, and/or shopping mall. The proposed concept must be configurable as a retrofit package into existing buildings as well as new construction. System components must be low cost or value creating, preferably with a commercial market independent of the Federal governmental defense sector. An example of potential system components (for illustrative purposes only): An example indoor detection solution for development by this project could be an improved biological point detection or identification system integrated into building controls, can be widely deployed in public spaces, and provides a multi-use, daily benefit to the users and the community. For example, in this scenario a fire detection system could be coupled with a biological particle detection and collection network that monitors for many public health concerns.

DHS has a need to detect the burst release of 100 grams of a hazardous biological or chemical agent in an outdoor environment rapidly enough to initiate low impact responses (e.g., closing building air intakes), triangulate the location of the release, characterize the extent of contamination, and identify those potentially exposed before symptoms emerge. Near the point of release, there will be a transient peak of a high concentration of the material, which will disperse throughout the environment and into neighboring buildings depending on weather conditions. The proposed system architecture and sensor density will dictate what concentration levels will be experienced at each sensor node. The system can integrate and fuse information gathered from both installed building operated systems as well as systems carried by citizens outdoors. The system false alarm rate, defined as the initiation of high impact decisions such as alerting HazMat and restricting movement of people, must be less than once per year. The proposed commercial application may demand more stringent requirement for the sensitivity of the overall system than the 100 gram burst release, in which case the proposed system will be tested to those requirements. For the purposes of providing metrics and system-level component discussions, outdoor detection scenarios should consider involving a city center, outdoor shopping mall, outdoor concert arena, parade, and/or outdoor sporting event. System components must be low cost or value creating, preferably with a commercial market independent of the Federal governmental defense sector. An example of potential system components (for illustrative purposes only): An example outdoor detection technology for development by this project could be personal micro-environment monitors carried by some people to monitor health data such as daily activity, which could be coupled to imaging systems that can detect biological particle clouds, and analyzed with local weather data for wide-event triggering.

DHS recognizes that some potential Offerors may have unique component level solutions, even though they do not have a full system level approach. DHS is also interested in exploring innovative component technologies, methodologies and partial system approaches. DHS intends to share the results of any work funded under this topic area among all of the Topic Area 1 and 2 selected performers via collaboration meetings. Therefore Offerors submitting proposals in this Task Area must confirm their intent to collaborate and share with the system level performers.