Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release (Nov. 14, 2003): Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Solicitation.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology division announced today the release of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Solicitation by the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA). The notice, which is available at www.fedbizopps.gov and the DHS web site: www.dhs.gov, invites small businesses to submit innovative research proposals that address high priority technology areas of the DHS.

"In addition to acting as the driving force of our nation's economy, small businesses are leaders in developing new and unique technologies." said Dr. Charles McQueary, DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology. "Through the SBIR Program we will introduce HSARPA to small businesses and invite them to be a part of our team." Through this solicitation HSARPA is seeking proposals for the following research and development topics: new system/technologies to detect low vapor pressure chemicals; chem-bio sensors employing novel receptor scaffold; advanced low cost aerosol collectors for surveillance sensors and personal monitoring; computer modeling tool for vulnerability assessment of U.S. infrastructure; Marine asset tag tracking system; AIS tracking and collision avoidance equipment for small boats; ship compartment inspection device; and advanced secure supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and related distributed control systems.

Participation in the HSARPA SBIR Program is restricted to for-profit small businesses in the United States with 500 or fewer employees, including all affiliated firms. Interested small firms will apply first for a six-month Phase I award not to exceed $100,000, to define the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of a particular concept. Firms, whose concepts prove successful in Phase I, may be invited to apply for a two-year Phase II award not to exceed $750,000 to further develop the concept, usually to the prototype stage.

"Our goal with the SBIR program is to benefit from the nation's small businesses in the research and development arena, a critical source of innovation," said Kevin Boshears, Director, of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. "Like our small business procurement program, the SBIR program makes small business participation part of the Department's culture in support of our national mission."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology division serves as the primary research and development arm of the DHS, utilizing our nation's scientific and technological resources to provide federal, state, and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland. HSARPA is the external research funding arm for the Department of Homeland Security. This agency within Science and Technology is expected to develop revolutionary changes in technologies that support homeland security, to advance those technologies that are "critical," and to "accelerate the prototyping and deployment of technologies" that reduce homeland vulnerabilities.