Portable Scanners Collaboration Event (CE)

Purpose

HSWERX, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Technology Transfer & Commercialization Branch (T2C), will host a Collaboration Event (CE) to identify solutions for scanners that can detect contraband from a distance.

Objective

DHS S&T’s Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS) Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) Program is interested in identifying or developing non-intrusive imaging or detection technologies that are able to detect illicit goods in maritime vessels of all sizes, as well as shipping containers. Solutions should be able to detect toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), explosives, bomb-making materials, narcotics, and other substances such as fentanyl in all different types of containers and provide visual feedback affirming the presence of the substance. Ideal solutions would be lightweight and should be able to detect substances through maritime vessel bulkheads at a safe distance without testing the sample, contacting the maritime vessel, or requiring personnel to board the maritime vessel and inspect the substance.

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Why You Should Participate

MSS seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with industry, academic, or national lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by DHS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the Assessment Event (AE) described below is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under and as notice of pre-solicitation activities in accordance with FAR 5.204.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 – February 15, 2024 Collaboration Event

‍HSWERX will host a round-robin-style Collaboration Event (CE) with government, industry, academic, and laboratory partners to ideate, collaborate, and identify solutions for portable bulkhead scanners. During this event, participants will hear from government end users through briefings about the current state of technology and their solution objectives. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and submit technologies, techniques, and points of contact that may be able to help solve the challenge. Participation in this event is not mandatory; however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors fully understand the problem set(s) and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with DHS needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. If you choose not to participate in the CE, you may submit your technology on or around February 19, 2024, for the AE.

The Collaboration Event will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. 

Questions?

‍For event-related questions, please contact Kinsey Crim: kcrim@hswerx.org