This is a combined synopsis/solicitation. The BAA is available via the FedBizOpps website(http://www.fedbizopps.gov/) and posted on the HSARPA (http://www.hsarpabaa.com) website. Please review the document in its entirety, and submit specific inquiries to the BAA email address (
[email protected]). Todays biological and chemical sensing networks work effectively to cover limited and specific physical areas and environments with significant cost and overhead. In order to greatly expand coverage and realize greater WMD protection for the nation, a revolutionary breakthrough that provides for a much larger and lower cost sensing distributed network is required. Through this BAA, HSARPA is seeking to accelerate advances in miniaturized biological and chemical sensing (e.g. laboratories on a chip) with integration into common device(s) and a communication systems concept for large scale multi-sensor networks. This proof of concept should be capable of detecting hazardous biological and/or chemical materials with eventual expansion to the detection of explosive and eventually radiological materials (in future collaborations with other organizations). In the first year, proposed work should lead to a minimum of a relevant laboratory demonstration of a proof of concept sensor, device and communications system for Cell-All. Optional second year work may be proposed to build upon success in year one and may include additional field experiments and characterizations. DHS S&T is conducting a full-and-open competition (open to ALL responsible sources) via the use of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the acquisition of basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement. Under the BAA, awards may be executed as contracts, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions.