A -- Alternate Signatures & Technologies for the Detection and Identification of Nuclear Materials

This is a Sources Sought Synopsis. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is currently preparing research and development program plans for the detection and identification of nuclear and radioactive materials in support of DoD efforts in countering terrorism, counter-proliferation, and nonproliferation. The goal of these program plans is to improve detection and identification capabilities for uranium, plutonium and other nuclear and radioactive materials of interest that do not rely on ionizing radiation signatures. DTRA is interested in technologies that will provide signatures relatively unique to radioactive material or radiation fields. Passive and active radiation detection systems are not the subject of this request for information because the US Government has extensive efforts in that area. In particular, DTRA is interested in possible methods to detect such materials at a distance of over a kilometer in both shielded and unshielded configurations in kilogram-scale quantities. Methods that might be of interest include, but are not limited to, optical, laser, radar, mass, or acoustic techniques either alone or in combination with each other or with some information systems technology. All technologies that are not primarily based on passive or active nuclear radiation detection signatures for detection and identification may be submitted in response. Neither near term deployment or extensive testing is a prerequisite for consideration under this request for information, although both would be desirable. Techniques can be ground, air, sea, or satellite based. Each concept should provide some analysis or experimental results indicating some possibility of standoff detection of nuclear materials at least by reference. An operational deployment concept indicating how the concept would be realized, including distance and quantity would greatly assist evaluation. Any and all organizations (commercial, academic, non-profit, etc.) conducting research and development in such material detection and identification areas are encouraged to respond to this synopsis. Responses shall be no longer than five pages, size 12 font, and shall be in Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word format. Documents shall be provided in electronic form to the technical point of contact at DTRA, Attn: TDND/CPT Steven Frederiksen, via e-mail: [email protected] no later than 30 August 2004. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by DTRA. DTRA does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or reimburse the costs incurred by providing the information requested under this notice.